Accession Number:

AD0265763

Title:

RESEARCH ON LOW TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL SYSTEMS

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

GENERAL ELECTRIC CO WEST LYNN MASS

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1961-08-15

Pagination or Media Count:

1.0

Abstract:

The polarization behavior of the oxygen electrode or hydrogen-oxygen cells on open circuit and in the non-linear region is shown to depend, among other factors, on a type of electrode material b surface treatment c pH d presence of foreign ions and their concentrations e stirring or agitation f cell design parameters and the technique of single electrode potential measurement. Most significant experimental observations concerning the open circuit behavior include a transient open circuit voltages greater than the thermodynamically reversible potential of 1.23 volts under certain conditions, b experimentally observed effect of higher temperature on the open circuit voltage of the oxygen electrode is in a direction opposite to thermodynamic predictions. Experimental evidence is presented to show that the hydrogen and oxygen electrodes operating in the same bulk electrolyte under steady-state current flow conditions are always associated with significant pH changes or concentration gradient at each electrode. Author

Descriptors:

• *ELECTRODES
• *FUEL CELLS
• CARBON
• CATALYSIS
• CATALYSTS
• CHLORIDES
• ELECTROCHEMISTRY
• GOLD
• IODINE COMPOUNDS
• INORGANIC ACIDS
• OXYGEN
• PALLADIUM
• PH FACTOR
• PLATINUM
• POLYMERS
• RHODIUM
• SILVER
• SURFACES
• ZINC COMPOUNDS

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE