GB2513459A - Electrochemical cell - Google Patents

Electrochemical cell Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2513459A
GB2513459A GB1403608.1A GB201403608A GB2513459A GB 2513459 A GB2513459 A GB 2513459A GB 201403608 A GB201403608 A GB 201403608A GB 2513459 A GB2513459 A GB 2513459A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
electrochemical cell
gas
platinum
generator
electrode
Prior art date
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Application number
GB1403608.1A
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GB201403608D0 (en
Inventor
Christopher Frey
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Compur Monitors GmbH and Co KG
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Compur Monitors GmbH and Co KG
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Publication date
Application filed by Compur Monitors GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Compur Monitors GmbH and Co KG
Publication of GB201403608D0 publication Critical patent/GB201403608D0/en
Publication of GB2513459A publication Critical patent/GB2513459A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/0004Gaseous mixtures, e.g. polluted air
    • G01N33/0006Calibrating gas analysers
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25BELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25BELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01Products
    • C25B1/22Inorganic acids
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25BELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C25B9/17Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/26Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electrochemical variables; by using electrolysis or electrophoresis
    • G01N27/416Systems
    • G01N27/4163Systems checking the operation of, or calibrating, the measuring apparatus
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/0004Gaseous mixtures, e.g. polluted air
    • G01N33/0009General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment
    • G01N33/007Arrangements to check the analyser
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/0004Gaseous mixtures, e.g. polluted air
    • G01N33/0009General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment
    • G01N33/007Arrangements to check the analyser
    • G01N33/0072Arrangements to check the analyser by generating a test gas

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

An electrochemical cell provides a reliable gas generation even under unfavorable environmental conditions and with significant changes in temperature and environment. The cell comprises a generator electrode 5 and counter electrode 3 and an elec­trolyte 4 comprising at least one ionic liquid containing thiocyanate (rhodanide) ions for the generation of hydrogen cyanide gas. A current from source 6 passes through the cell and generates the gas which passes through membrane 7. The cell can be used to generate a test gas for gas detectors.

Description

I
Electrochemical Cell The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell for generating hydrogen cyanide gas using a generator electrode and a counter electrode.
Electrochemical cells for generating test gases for gas analysis devices are known, e.g. from German patent specification 26 21 677, for various gases, but not for hydrogen cyanide gas.
From document Z. Tocksteinová, F. Opekar, "The Electrochemical Generation of Small Amounts of Hydrogen Cyanide", Talanta, 1986, vol. 33, no. 8, pages 688- 690 a method for generating hydrogen cyanide gas using an electrochemical cell is known, wherein hydrogen cyanide gas is generated by oxidation of thiocyanate ions. The gas is generated via controlled oxidation of thiocyanate in aqueous solu-tion according to reaction SCN + 4 HO -> 6 e + + HCN + 7 H A platinum electrode completely submerged in an aqueous electrolyte is flushed by nitrogen, so as to transport the generated hydrogen cyanide gas outward.
Besides the fact that the use of such a gas generator is only possible under labo- ratory conditions, this gas generator is unfavorable in particular due to the electro- lyte which is an aqueous solution. Thus in practical applications for example cli-matic influences will cause loss of electrolyte, which does not allow for a reliable generation of hydrogen cyanide gas in controllable and constant amounts or might even cause a complete functional failure of such a generator.
Thus it is an object of the invention to provide an electrochemical cell which makes a reliable hydrogen cyanide gas generation with a long life possible even under unfavorable and substantially changing environmental conditions, such as signifi-cant changes in temperature and environment, According to the invention the object is accomplished by an electrochemical cell of the type mentioned above, wherein the electrolyte comprises at least one ionic liquid and includes thiocyanate ions for generating hydrogen cyanide gas.
Due to its high electrochemical stability with respect to oxidation and reduction, the use of ionic liquids makes it possible to provide electrochemical cells for generat-ing hydrogen cyanide gas, e.g. to check gas analysing devices, whereby the electrochemical cells generate stable amounts of hydrogen cyanide gas without failing over a long life time and also at changing temperatures and environmental conditions. The use of ionic liquid as electrolyte makes it possible to have long storage periods for such gas generators without impacting their function in later use.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrolyte comprises a mixture of at least two ionic liquids, thus allowing to easily select and set the melt-ing point and water absorption capacity of the electrolyte by an appropriate choice of ionic liquids and/or their appropriate mixing ratio.. The electrolyte preferably comprises at least one ionic liquid of the group of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (hereinafter abbreviated as BMIM OTf), 1 -ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (hereinafter abbreviated as EMIM OTf) and 1 -ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate (hereinafter abbreviated as EMIM SCN). These ionic liquids have been found to be particularly advantageous especially in view of the setting and adjusting options with respect to melting point and water absorption. In particular, the use of the mentioned ionic liquids and op-tionally of further additional substances results in reductions in the electroyte's melting point, which allows operation until far below the melting points of the indi- vidual ionic liquids and thus within the operating temperature range of the electro-chemical cell, such as between -30°C and + 60°C.
Thiocyanate salt is preferably used as gas generating substance, and it is particu-larly advantageous to select it from the group NaSCN, KSCN, LiSCN, NH4SCN, NBu4SCN. However, thiocyanate can also be itself the anion of an ionic liquid It is particularly advantageous to have at least one noble metal as generator elec- trode, in particular one of the group of gold, rhodium, iridium, palladium or plati-num, wherein platinum is particularly advantageous. The generator electrode is preferably formed as a platinum wire mesh or as a polytetrafluorethylene (in the following abbreviated as PTFE) gas diffusion membrane coated with the noble metal.
The container for the ionic liquid in the electrochemical cell is sealed to the outside by a FTFE gas diffusion membrane, which is permeable for the generated hydro- gen cyanide gas. The generated hydrogen cyanide gas is discharged to the out-side via this PTFE gas diffusion membrane.
It is advantageous to provide layers of glass fiber between the generator electrode and the counter electrode, the glass fiber being impregnated with the ionic liquid or with a mixture of ionic liquids, whereby these liquids comprise thiocyanate ions.
The counter electrode is preferably a PTFE support which is coated with platinum or platinum black, which is preferably porous.
The present invention and preferred embodiments will be discussed below further with reference to the single drawing schematically showing an electrochemical cell according to the present invention.
An electrochemical cell 1 comprises a cell housing or container 2 at its bottom side above of which a counter electrode 3 is disposed on which ionic liquid 4 is provided. A generator electrode 5 is disposed on the side of the ionic liquid oppos-ing the counter electrode 3. The generator electrode 5 acting as an anode and the counter electrode 3 acting as a cathode are connected to a constant current source 6.
On the outer side of generator electrode 5, which is formed for example as a wire mesh or as a gas diffusion membrane, another gas diffusion membrane is possibly provided, through which the generated hydrogen cyanide by diffusion passes out of the cell to the outside. The gas diffusion membrane 7 is additionally stabilized by a PTFE support grid 8.
The interior of the cell housing 2 containing the ionic liquid 4 preferably comprises glass fiber layers impregnated with ionic liquid containing thiocyanate ions.
The ionic liquid is selected in particular with regard of the melting point and the wa- ter absorbing capacity. BMIM OTt, EMIM OTf and EMIM SCN are of particular ad-vantage. The ionic liquids can be used as a basis for the cell's electrolyte, either in its pure forms or as mixtures. It is preferred to have a proportion of 30-25 vol% of EMIM SCN in the mixture with EMIM 011 or BMIM OTf. Typically 0.2-0.4 mol/l lith- ium thiocyanate, potassium thiocyanate, sodium thiocyanate, ammonium thiocy-anate or tetrabutylammonium thiocyanate are added to BMIM OTf. A proportion of 5-20% H20 is required as a reactant in all cases. It is also used to optimize the solubility of thiocyanate salts and the reaction products.
Current densities of the current provided by the constant power source 6 and flow- ing through ionic electrolyte 4 are typically between 0.3 -1.5 mA/cm3. The gener-ated hydrogen cyanide gas passes through the PTFE gas diffusion membrane 7 by diffusion out of the cell to the outside.
For a performance test of hydrogen cyanide detectors a generator electrode area of preferably 3.8 cm2 and an operating current of about 2 mA with a power-on time of 30 s is advantageous, in order to generate hydrogen cyanide concentrations greater than 20 ppm in front of the outlet opening of the cell.
In the present embodiment the generator electrode consists of a platinum wire mesh or a coating of noble metal and preferably of platinum on the inner side of PTFE gas diffusion membrane 7. The counter electrode is a 0.25 mm PTFE gore membrane coated with platinum black.
The electrochemical cell operates galvanostatically with current densities prefera-bly between 0.5 and 1.5 mAIcm2. With a generator electrode having a diameter of mm the optimum operating current is 2 to 3 mA.
The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. How-ever, a person skilled in the art is capable of further embodiments or modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

  1. Claims 1. An electrochemical cell (1) having an electrolyte (4), a generator elec- trode (5) and a counter electrode (3), characterized in that the electro-lyte (4) comprises at least one ionic liquid and containsthiocyanate ions for generating hydrogen cyanide gas.
  2. 2. An electrochemical cell (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrolyte (4) comprises a mixture of at least two ionic fluids pref- erably from the group of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazoliurn trifluoromethane- sulfonate, 1 -ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate.
  3. 3. An electrochemical cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas generating substance is a thiocyanate salt.
  4. 4. An electrochemical cell (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the thiocyanate salt is at least one of the group of NaSCN, KSCN, LiSCN, NH4SCN, NBu4SCN.
  5. 5. An electrochemical cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generator electrode (5) consists of a noble metal, preferably of one of the group of gold, rhodium, iridium, palla-dium and platinum.
  6. 6. An electrochemical cell (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the generator electrode (5) is a noble metal wire mesh and preferably a platinum wire mesh.
  7. 7. An electrochemical cell (1) according to one of claims 5 or6, character- ized in that the generator electrode (5) is a RIFE gas diffusion mem-brane coated on one side with a noble metal.
  8. 8. An electrochemical cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is sealed to the outside by a PTFE gas diffusion membrane (7), which is permeable to the generated hydrogen cyanide gas.
  9. 9. An electrochemical cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ionic liquid (4) is provided in a housing or con-tainer (2) comprising glass fiber layers.
  10. 10. An electrochemical cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter electrode (3) essentially consists of platinum.
  11. 11. An electrochemical celt (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the counter electrode (2) is a FTFE coated with platinum.
GB1403608.1A 2013-03-01 2014-02-28 Electrochemical cell Withdrawn GB2513459A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102013003559.7A DE102013003559B4 (en) 2013-03-01 2013-03-01 Process for producing hydrogen cyanide gas in an electrochemical cell

Publications (2)

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GB201403608D0 GB201403608D0 (en) 2014-04-16
GB2513459A true GB2513459A (en) 2014-10-29

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GB1403608.1A Withdrawn GB2513459A (en) 2013-03-01 2014-02-28 Electrochemical cell

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US (1) US20140246309A1 (en)
DE (1) DE102013003559B4 (en)
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Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0611112A1 (en) * 1993-02-12 1994-08-17 City Technology Limited Gas generating apparatus

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2621677A1 (en) 1976-05-15 1977-11-24 Bayer Ag PROCEDURE FOR CHECKING GAS ANALYZERS
GB2034354B (en) * 1978-11-11 1982-12-01 Ibm Elimination of anode hydrogen cyanide formation in trivalent chromium plating
US4526662A (en) * 1982-09-09 1985-07-02 Byerley John J Processes for the recovery of cyanide from aqueous thiocyanate solutions and detoxication of aqueous thiocyanate solutions
IL126976A (en) * 1996-05-15 2001-11-25 Hyperion Catalysis Internat Graphitic nanofibers in electrochemical capacitors
EP1512460A1 (en) * 2003-09-05 2005-03-09 Solvent Innovation GmbH Preparation and use of ionic liquids having thiocyanat as anion
TWI502195B (en) * 2009-03-10 2015-10-01 Senova Systems Inc Multi-phase analyte insensitive electrode for use in an electrochemical sensing device for measuring an analyte in a sample , electrochemical sensing device comprising the electrode and method of measuring an analyte in a sample using the electrochemical
DE102010003496A1 (en) * 2009-04-08 2010-12-16 Basf Se Producing chlorine and simultaneously separating metal comprising e.g. aluminum, comprises providing electrolysis device, and separating chlorine at anode and metal at cathode from an ionic liquid containing ions of metal to be separated
JP2012524165A (en) * 2009-04-16 2012-10-11 ビーエーエスエフ ソシエタス・ヨーロピア Removal and recycling of metal salt-containing ionic liquids from surface treated workpieces
WO2011043138A1 (en) * 2009-10-05 2011-04-14 太陽誘電株式会社 Electrochemical capacitor

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0611112A1 (en) * 1993-02-12 1994-08-17 City Technology Limited Gas generating apparatus

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GB201403608D0 (en) 2014-04-16
DE102013003559B4 (en) 2014-12-11
DE102013003559A1 (en) 2014-09-04
US20140246309A1 (en) 2014-09-04

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