EL-CELL ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu User manual

© 2017 EL-CELL GmbH
User Manual
Release 1.2
ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu
Electrochemical test cell

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User Manual ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu
Release 1.2
The information in this manual has been carefully checked and believed to be accurate;
however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.
EL-CELL GmbH maintains the right to make changes without further notice to products
described in this manual to improve reliability, function, or design. EL-CELL GmbH does not
assume any liability arising from the use or application of this product.
EL-CELL GmbH
Tempowerkring 8
21079 Hamburg - Germany
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
web: www.el-cell.com

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User Manual ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu
Release 1.2
Content
1 Product description ...................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Features............................................................................................................................................................ 5
3 Safety precautions......................................................................................................................................... 7
4 Assembly and connection ........................................................................................................................... 7
5 Disassembly and Cleaning .......................................................................................................................... 9
6 Unpacking......................................................................................................................................................10
7 Technical data ..............................................................................................................................................11
8 Spare parts ....................................................................................................................................................12
9 Technical support ........................................................................................................................................16
10 Warranty ......................................................................................................................................................16

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User Manual ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu
Release 1.2
1 Product description
The ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu test cell serves to monitor the optical properties of an electrode
material in the course of electrochemical charging. For this purpose, the working electrode
(WE) material, which is supported on a meshed or holed current collector, is placed right
below the optical window. This WE is sandwiched from below with a glass fiber separator and
an appropriate counter electrode (CE).
This way, the optical instrument “looks” from the top through the optical window onto the
backside of the electrode material. Typical instrumentations include optical and confocal
Raman microscopy in the reflection mode. Special window materials such as saphire, beryllium,
polyimide are available. Please refer to the separate manual of the ECC-Opto-Std.
The maximum diameter of the working electrode WE is 10 mm, while that of the inspection
hole is 1 mm (optional up to 10 mm). The cell is equipped with a reference electrode pin for
3-electrode operation.
Stand
ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu Cell
Lid
Cell body
Port REF
(Reference pin)
Port B
(Electrolyte filling port)
Port A
(Contact pin WE)
Touch screw (CE)

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2 Features
2- and 3-electrode cell with optical window for aqueous electrochemistry.
Materials in media contact are gold, PEEK and EPDM
The backside of the working electrode material can be observed through the optical
window on top. Inspection area diameter is 1 mm. Other diameters up to 10 mm available.
Typically used in combination with optical or Raman microscopy in the reflection mode.
The window is made of optical borosilicate glass. Sapphire (Al2O3), Beryllium and polyimide
windows are available on request.
Working electrodes can be single crystals or grains, powder samples and free-standing
electrodes (applied onto current collector mesh). Maximum electrode diameter is 10 mm.
Easy and clean electrolyte filling via the vacuum (syringe) method.
All necessary equipment is included.
Small and defined electrolyte volume down to 0.1 cm3due to minimized dead volume
Connection to potentiostat/battery tester via 2 mm banana sockets, adapters for 4 mm
banana sockets are included
Temperature operation range -20°C to +70°C

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Working principle of the ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu:
Optical window
Holed current collector
16 mm
Spring loaded
piston
Working electrode
material (WE) placed on
the holed current collector
Glass fiber separator
Counter electrode
(CE)
Inspection area (1 mm,
optional up to 10 mm)
Reference electrode pin
Working electrode contact pin

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3Safety precautions
Use proper safety precautions when using hazardous electrode materials and electrolytes.
Wear protective glasses and gloves to protect you against electrolyte that may accidentally
spill out during filling and disassembly. Upon cell disassembly, dispose all materials properly.
4Assembly and connection
The test cell can be used in either 2-electrode or 3-electrode (reference) configuration. In the
following, the cell assembly is described for operation with PTFE bound activated carbon as
the electrodes and aqueous sulfuric acid as the electrolyte
Assembly:
1. Load a small amount of PTFE bound activated carbon into the REF opening of the cell body. This
reference material will later on be contacted by the reference pin mounted into port REF.
2. Push the counter electrode piston into the cell body to the uppermost position.
3. Pull the piston slightly back, and insert the activated carbon counter electrode (max. 10
mm in diameter, max. 1 mm thick)
4. Put the provided glass fiber separator on top.
5. Place a self-standing PTFE-bound activated carbon electrode on top of the separator. The
electrode must be larger than the 1 mm hole in the current collector, and smaller than the 10
mm diameter of the counter electrode.
6. Cover the working electrode with the provided holed current collector. Note that, in the
fully assembled state, the ductile working electrode will be pressed against the window on top.
This way, the incident beam shines directly on the backside of the WE.
7. Insert the upper O-Ring seal (16 x 1.8 mm) into the cell body, and place the optical
window on top. Make sure that the window is in the center position.
8. Attach the lid and fasten the three socket screws.
9. Attach the WE contact pin to port A.
10. Attach the reference pin to the reference port. Plug the reference port if working
without reference electrode.
11. Attach the touch screw from below and raise it to the uppermost position; then turn the
touch screw back (counter clockwise) by about 30°.
12. Fill the cell with electrolyte (e.g. 3M sulfuric acid) according to the following procedure:
Connect the provided filling tube to port B.

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Charge a 5 ml syringe with ca. 0.5 ml of electrolyte.
NOTE: We recommend single-use PP plastic syringes with low friction silicone pistons.
Connect the syringe to the Luer adapter of the filling tube.
Pull the syringe piston back to evacuate the cell. Hold the piston a few seconds in the
strained position.
Make sure that the tip of the syringe points downwards. Then release the piston, so
that the electrolyte is sucked into the cell by the previously applied vacuum .
NOTE: Never pressurize the cell during the filling procedure.
Remove the filling tube and close port B with the second WE contact pin.
13. Insert the cell into the stand.
14. Connect the cell to the cell cable as shown in the picture below.

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15. Connect your potentiostat to the 2 mm sockets (1) of the cell cable (grey: REF; red: WE;
blue: CE). Adapters (2) are provided for connection to 4 mm banana plugs.
Different spring forces in relation to stack thickness:
A compression spring exerts the mechanical pressure on the cell stack.
Different springs with a nominal pressure of 10, 20 and 30 N are available.
The applied pressure slightly depends on the thickness of the cell stack.
5Disassembly and Cleaning
After use, disassemble the test cell in the reverse order of assembly. Dispose electrodes and
electrolyte properly. Clean wetted cell parts with deionized water and/or other appropriate
detergent wash and solvent. Cell base and CE piston may be additionally cleaned in an
ultrasonic bath. After cleaning with water, dry parts with compressed air. Before building a
new cell, dry parts overnight at 80°C under vacuum. This treatment is essential for PEEK parts
and EPDM O-ring seals as these parts may absorb water.
NOTES:
Protect yourself against chemical hazards. Electrolyte may spill out during cleaning.
Electrode materials and electrolyte may react with ambient atmosphere or solvents used
for cleaning. Wear appropriate protection equipment, goggles and gloves.
Clean all cell parts right after disassembly. Leaving cell parts in contact with ambient
atmosphere while still being wetted with electrolyte may result in severe corrosion.

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6Unpacking
Check the contents of the packages against the list given below to verify that you have
received all of the required components. Contact EL-CELL, if anything is missing or damaged.
NOTE: Damaged shipments must remain within the original packaging for freight company
inspection.
List of components:
ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu test cell with stand, fully equipped for use in both 2-electrode and
3-electrode (reference) configuration in aqueous electrolytes ECC1-00-0150-E
ECC-Opto cell cable ECE1-00-0075-A
Accessory kit
Glass windows (5 pieces) LAB0018/V
Glass fiber separators (5 pieces) ECC1-01-0012-J/V
Feed wire (Au), assy ECC1-00-0010-O
Holed current collector Au (ECC-OPTO) (5 pieces) ECC1-00-0123-G/V
Filling tube with syringe (5 ml) for vacuum filling ECC1-01-0001-A
O-Ring 6.75 mm x 1.78 mm DIC9013
O-Ring 16 mm x 1.8 mm DIC9012
Hex wrench 0.9 mm WZG9005
Spherical hex screw driver 3 mm WZG9002
2
1
2
1

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7Technical data
Temperature operation range -20 to +70 °C

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8Spare parts
ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu test cell

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Central CE Piston
ECC-OPTO-STD AQU
ECC1-00-0180-B

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REF electrode OPTO, assy (Au)
ECC1-00-0010-R

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Electrode Feed Wire, OPTO, assy (Au)
ECC1-00-0010-O

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9Technical support
Technical support for this product is exclusively provided by EL-CELL GmbH.
EL-CELL GmbH
Tempowerkring 8
21079 Hamburg - Germany
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
web: www.el-cell.com
10 Warranty
For a period of one year from the date of shipment, EL-CELL GmbH (hereinafter Seller)
warrants the goods to be free from defect in material and workmanship to the original
purchaser. During the warranty period, Seller agrees to repair or replace defective and/or
nonconforming goods or parts without charge for material or labor, or, at the Seller’s option,
demand return of the goods and tender repayment of the price. Buyer’s exclusive remedy is
repair or replacement of defective and nonconforming goods, or, at Seller’s option, the
repayment of the price.
Seller excludes and disclaims any liability for lost profits, personal injury, interruption of
service, or for consequential incidental or special damages arising out of, resulting from, or
relating in any manner to these goods.
This Limited Warranty does not cover defects, damage, or nonconformity resulting from
abuse, misuse, neglect, lack of reasonable care, modification, or the attachment of improper
devices to the goods. This Limited Warranty does not cover expendable items. This warranty is
void when repairs are performed by a non-authorized person or service center. At Seller’s
option, repairs or replacements will be made on site or at the factory. If repairs or
replacements are to be made at the factory, Buyer shall return the goods prepaid and bear all
the risks of loss until delivered to the factory. If Seller returns the goods, they will be delivered
prepaid and Seller will bear all risks of loss until delivery to Buyer. Buyer and Seller agree that
this Limited Warranty shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
Germany.
The warranties contained in this agreement are in lieu of all other war ranties expressed or
implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
This Limited Warranty supersedes all prior proposals or representations oral or written and
constitutes the entire understanding regarding the warranties made by Seller to Buyer. This
Limited Warranty may not be expanded or modified except in writing signed by the parties
hereto.