Gas Diffusion In-situ Raman Electrochemical Cell
Gas Diffusion In-situ Raman Electrochemical Cell, In-situ Raman Spectroscopy and Infrared Microscopes
Electrochemical cell designed for electrocatalysis of CO2RR, NNR, HERs and fuel cells, In-situ Raman Electrochemical Flow H-Cell, In-situ Raman Spectroelectrochemical Cell, Three compartment compact design (3H Cell), Channel area 1 cm * 1 cm
Gas diffusion in-situ Raman electrochemical cell is a compact device designed for real-time optical observation of electrochemical reactions happening on the surface of electrode with in-situ Raman spectroscopy, especially in gas-involved systems like fuel cells. The Raman laser light is focused through a transparent window onto the gas diffusion electrode (GDE) while allowing reactant gases to diffuse through, showing insights of electrochemical reaction and morphological changes on the electrode surface in real-time.
Gas diffusion Raman electrochemical cell is made of three chambers: a working electrode chamber, a counter electrode chamber and a gas chamber. Three chambers are well separated physically with the counter electrode chamber next to, and the gas chamber being directly under the working electrode chamber. The contact of the gas chamber with the working electrode chamber is through the gas diffusion electrode and the contact of counter electrode chamber with the working electrode chamber is through the ion exchange membrane. In the top and centre of the working electrode chamber sits the quartz window allowing Raman spectroscopy operation. The gas chamber employs a serpentine flow path, which significantly increases the contact time between the gas and the gas diffusion electrode, resulting in a more efficient catalytic reaction.
The design features a PEEK body for excellent chemical resistance and built-in gas channel in cathode chamber for gas diffusion to support flow systems and injection-based filling. The three-compartment structure is held together with screw-sealed membrane interface and they are all detachable for easy access and cleaning. The working electrode chamber is compatible with gas diffusion and planar electrodes, and the chamber accommodates both of the GDE and reference electrode.
Gas diffusion Raman electrochemical cell finds application 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 to provide information on structural and morphological changes during operation.
Working mechanism: Gas diffusion Raman electrochemical cell adopts a three-electrode system with 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.
Key Components and features of the gas diffusion Raman electrochemical cell
- Gas Diffusion Electrode (GDE): A porous, conductive layer, i.e. carbon paper, that allows gases to reach the catalyst layer while also act as the working electrode.
- 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
- Electrolyte: A liquid (aqueous or organic) that conducts ions, with channels for diffusion
- Chambers: A three-chamber design of gas, working electrode and counter electrode chambers, separated by membranes or the GDE itself, creating realistic operating conditions
- Inert Materials: Constructed from materials like PEEK to resist corrosive electrolytes
- Electrodes: Platinum coil electrode (Φ 0.5*100mm), and Ag/AgCl reference electrode (Φ 4mm)
Specifications
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.