Scanning Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup for Real-Time Analysis of Catalyst Layers

Abstract

The scanning gas diffusion electrode (S-GDE) half-cell is introduced as a new tool to improve the evaluation of electrodes used in electrochemical energy conversion technologies. It allows both fast screening and fundamental studies of real catalyst layers by applying coupled mass spectrometry techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and online gas mass spectrometry. Hence, the proposed setup overcomes the limitations of aqueous model systems and full cell-level studies, bridging the gap between the two approaches. In this proof-of-concept work, standard fuel cell electrodes are investigated at elevated oxygen reduction reaction current densities, while dissolved Pt^x+ ions in the electrolyte and gaseous CO₂ in the outlet gas stream are detected to track platinum dissolution and carbon corrosion, respectively. Relevant current densities of up to 0.75 A cm^–2 are demonstrated. The electrochemically active surface area, oxygen reduction reaction activity, and Pt dissolution rates are quantified and benchmarked to the values obtained in the conventional stationary GDE half-cell. Moreover, it is found that Pt dissolution is suppressed when O₂ is purged into the catalyst layer. Overall, this work demonstrates the feasibility of fast fuel cell electrode screening obtaining, complementary to electrochemical, mass spectrometry data necessary in fundamental studies on structure/performance relationships under actual reaction conditions. While Pt/C, in relevance to its fuel cell application, is used in this study, the proposed setup can be applied in water electrolysis, CO₂ conversion, metal-air batteries, and other neighbor technologies.