Electrochemical Cell Components and Configurations

In choosing the reactor configuration for an electrosynthetic process, decisions will have to be made regarding the selection of a suitable cell system and its 

Most metals are stable in operation as cathodes but unstable as anodes. Satisfactory stability is at least 1,000 hours of continuous operation and preferably 10,000 hours for commercial operations. Of the many categories of electrodes developed, four merit special attention for use in electrosynthesis in different media chemically modified electrodes (CMEs), dimensionally stable anodes (DSAs), conducting polymers, and catalytic cathodes (especially of Raney nickel). 

Common diaphragm materials used in commercial electrolytic cells are porous ceramics, asbestos, and microporous plastics, but they all suffer from poor mechanical strength and availability in limited sizes and shapes. It was only after the availability of the highly stable perfluori-nated ion-exchange membranes that the problems of cell separators for industrial production were solved. These ion-exchange membranes allow only cation or anion (with water) transport between electrode chambers. 

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