Gas Diffusion In-situ Raman Electrochemical Cell
Gas Diffusion In-situ Raman Electrochemical Cell for Raman Spectroscopy and Infrared Microscopes
Electrochemical cell designed for electrocatalysis of CO2RR, NNR, HERs and fuel cells
Gas diffusion in-situ Raman electrochemical cell is a device allowing optical observation of electrochemical reactions happening on the surface of the electrode in real-time by employing Raman spectroscopy. Raman laser light is directed through the transparent window onto the surface of the gas diffusion electrode (GDE), observing changes on the electrode surface and giving insights into the electrochemical reactions.
The electrochemical cell features a three-compartment structure of a working electrode chamber, a gas chamber and a counter electrode chamber. The three-compartment structure adopts a H-cell configuration with the working electrode chamber stacking on top of the gas chamber, and the counter electrode chamber being separated from the working electrode GDE chamber by a membrane. The working electrode chamber is compatible with gas diffusion and planar electrodes, and it accommodates both the GDE and reference electrode while the counter chamber is for the counter electrode.
Gas diffusion Raman electrochemical cells have applications in the fields of fuel cells, battery electrode/electrolyte interfaces, electrocatalytic water splitting and hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs), oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORRs/OERs), and carbon dioxide reduction reactions (CO2RRs). Real-time in-situ Raman spectroscopy is particularly helpful as a way of providing information on structural and morphological changes during operation.
Electrochemical Cell Design
Our gas diffusion Raman electrochemical cells include:
-
Quartz Window
A transparent window placed directly above the GDE, allowing the Raman laser to focus on the electrode surface and the scattered light to be collected.
-
Three Chambers
A three-chamber design of gas chamber, working electrode and counter electrode chambers, separated by membranes or the GDE itself, creating realistic operating conditions
-
Inert body
Constructed from materials like PEEK to resist corrosive electrolytes
Also required for use:
- Gas Diffusion Electrode (GDE): A porous, conductive layer, i.e. carbon paper, that allows gases to reach the catalyst layer while also acting as the working electrode.
- Electrolyte: A liquid (aqueous or organic) that conducts ions, with channels for diffusion
- Electrodes: Platinum coil electrode (Φ 0.5 x 100 mm), and Ag/AgCl reference electrode (Φ 4mm)
Specifications
Working Principles
Gas diffusion Raman electrochemical cells adopt a three-electrode system with a working and reference electrode in the same chamber, and the counter electrode in the counter chamber. Reactant gases are fed to the GDE working electrode, while electrolyte flows through the cell. The electrochemical reactions are carried out on the surface of the GDE while an electrical potential is applied. Raman laser is directed through quartz window to interact with the electrode/electrolyte interface, allowing real-time detection of the unique vibrational fingerprints of molecules and gathering information about the dynamic reaction environment.
Literature and Reviews
- G. Wang et al. (2025), In-situ Raman observation on gas diffusion electrode/polyelectrolyte interface, Electrochim. Acta, 510, 145348; DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2024.145348.
- Q. Sun et al. (2025), Probing Inside the Catalyst Layer on Gas Diffusion Electrodes in Electrochemical Reduction of CO and CO2, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 64 (23), e202504715; DOI: 10.1002/anie.202504715.
- Z. Du et al. (2024), In Situ Raman Spectroscopic Studies of Electrochemical CO2 Reduction on Cu-Based Electrodes, J. Phys. Chem. C, 128 (28), 11741–11755; DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03596.