EL-CELL ECC Series User manual

© 2020 EL-Cell GmbH
User Manual
Release 1.14
ECC-Air-Ni
Electrochemical test cell

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User Manual ECC-Air-Ni
Release 1.14
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-Air-Ni
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Content
1 Product description ...................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Features............................................................................................................................................................ 5
3 Safety precautions......................................................................................................................................... 6
4 Cell assembly .................................................................................................................................................. 6
5 Disassembly and cleaning ........................................................................................................................... 8
6 Operation modes / gas supply .................................................................................................................. 9
7 Electrical connection ..................................................................................................................................10
8 Unpacking......................................................................................................................................................11
9 Technical data ..............................................................................................................................................12
10 Spare parts..................................................................................................................................................13
11 Technical support......................................................................................................................................15
12 Warranty ......................................................................................................................................................15
Appendix
Transfer lines .....................................................................................................................................................16

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User Manual ECC-Air-Ni
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1 Product description
The ECC-Air-Ni is another member of the modular ECC series. In contrast to the standard
ECC-Air test cell, the current collectors are made of nickel instead of stainless steel. This way,
the ECC-Air-Ni is stable against corrosion in alkaline aqueous electrolytes.
Basically, the cell accommodates a counter electrode on the cell bottom, a gas diffusion
electrode on top and a separator in between. The upper gas diffusion electrode is contacted
by and “breathes” through the nickel perforated plate (current collector) above. The cell lid is
equipped with one port for gas inlet and one for gas outlet (Tubes are not included, see page
16), so that the incoming gas passes along the backside of the gas diffusion electrode and
leaves the cell through the siphon. The ECC-Air-Ni can be used with a reference electrode,
which is located at the separator edge.

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User Manual ECC-Air-Ni
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2 Features
Test cell dedicated to the characterization of gas diffusion electrodes in alkaline aqueous
electrolytes.
Upper electrode is contacted by and breathes through a perforated plate (current
collector) made of nickel
Gas inlet and outlet for supply of pressurized gases to the gas diffusion electrode
A siphon directs the incoming and outgoing gas
High precision 18 mm diameter sandwich geometry with <0.1 mm electrode
concentricity
Reliable low leakage sealing with PE seal and PTFE ferrules
Easy and reliable electrolyte filling upon assembly
Fast assembly and dismantling and easy cleaning of cell components
Electrodes are easily accessible for post-mortem analysis
Reusable cell components except for PE seal
Small and defined electrolyte volume due to minimized dead volume
Adjustable, reproducible and homogeneous mechanical pressure on electrodes
Materials in media contact are nickel and PEEK.
Modular cell construction with many interchangeable components.
Dedicated tools available to ease cell assembly and operation see http://el-cell.com
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Spring force applied on cell stack / N
Thickness of electrode stack / µm
FED9015 (Standard)
FED9020
FED9021
Spring load on stack
vs. stack thickness for
different springs.
Standard is FED9015.

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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 disassembly. Upon cell disassembly, dispose all materials properly.
4Cell assembly
Lid
Gas inlet
Gas outlet
REF Electrode ECC,
assembly (Ni)
Siphon
Perforated plate,Ni
Cell stack
PEEK sleeve
Bracket
Cell base
Plunger (hole pattern),
Ni
Gas outlet
Gas inlet
Contact screw II

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In order to operate the test cell with a reference, the small feed-through hole of the REF
sleeve is to be loaded with the reference material. The vertical position of the reference is
determined by the thickness of the components. Make sure that the electrodes and separator
used have the appropriate thickness to avoid a short circuit between the reference and
anyone of the two other electrodes. The smaller (inside) diameter of the reference bore is 0.3
mm.
Assembly steps:
1. Prepare the transfer lines for the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The provided fittings are
compatible with 1/16 inch outer diameter tubing. We recommend the use of stainless
steel or PEEKsil™ capillary tubing.
2. Plug the siphon into the cell lid. Turn the siphon so that the side bore of the siphon aligns
with the corresponding bore in the cell lid.
3. Attach the tube to the gas outlet port. Make sure that the tube end slides into the side
bore of the siphon, and thus holds the two parts together.
4. With the aid of a metal wire, load a small amount of a (pseudo) reference material into
the feed-through hole of the REF sleeve.
5. Close the side opening of the cell base with the provided PTFE plug. This plug is later on
replaced by the reference electrode.
6. Put the perforated plate onto the Plunger.
Separator
Lower Electrode
Upper Electrode
Separator
Lower Electrode
Upper Electrode
Separator
Lower Electrode
Upper Electrode
0.9 mm Separator
Lower Electrode
Upper Electrode
Separator
Lower Electrode
Upper Electrode
Separator
Lower Electrode
Upper Electrode
Separator
Lower Electrode
Upper Electrode
0.9 mm
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
Align!

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7. Insert the Plunger into the sleeve with the perforated plate pointing upwards.
8. Put the 18 mm diameter gas diffusion working-electrode onto the perforated plate inside
the sleeve.
9. Put the glass fiber separator onto the working-electrode and dispense a defined amount
of electrolyte on it. The optimum amount of electrolyte depends on the electrodes and
separator used. It has to be carefully determined in pre-tests. 0.5 cm3are a reasonable
amount for 1.5 mm thick glass fiber separator.
10. Put the counter electrode (18 mm diameter) on top of the cell stack.
11. Put the nickel current collector on top.
12. Slide the cell base over the assembly. Hold the components tightly together, then turn
the assembly back into the upright position.
13. Release the pressure applied on the cell stack. Mount the locking ring in order to align
the side opening of the cell base with the feed-through hole of the REF sleeve.
14. Replace the PTFE plug in the Cell base by the reference electrode.
15. Insert the PE seal and the spring.
16. Place the cell lid with the already attached siphon and transfer lines onto the cell base.
17. Put the cell into the bracket and tighten the wing nut.
18. Connect the inlet port to the gas supply and the outlet tube to the exhaust line.
5Disassembly and cleaning
Right after use, disassemble the cell in the reverse order of assembly.
Avoid removing or turning the contact screw beneath the cell base, as this could interrupt the
connection between feed wire and current collector.
All chemicals used have to be disposed properly. Clean wetted parts with water and/or other
appropriate solvent. Ultrasonic cleaning is recommended. After cleaning, all parts are to be
dried at 80°C in vacuum overnight. PE seal and PTFE ferrules are to be replaced.

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Sleeve removing tool
The REF-sleeve can be easily removed with the sleeve removing tool. First detach the
Reference-electrode assembly, then position the tool beneath the rim of the sleeve and lift it
out of the cell base.
NOTE: Leaving cell parts in contact with ambient atmosphere while still being wetted with
electrolyte may result in severe corrosion.
6 Operation modes / gas supply
Thanks to its modular design, the ECC-AIR-Ni test cell may be operated in different modes.
Two basic set-ups are described below.
A. Flow-through set-up
This is the most typical configuration for the characterization of metal-air batteries. In the
simplest set-up of this kind, the gas inlet is connected to the gas (oxygen) supply via a mass
flow controller. The pressure build-up inside the cell is controlled by means of a metering
valve (or narrow capillary) connected to the gas outlet.
B. Dead-end pressurized set-up
In this configuration, the gas outlet is plugged. The test cell is pressurized at the beginning of
the experiment by means of an external gas supply connected to the gas inlet.
After equilibration of the closed cell at constant temperature (the time constant being mainly
determined by the slow dissolution of gases in the electrolyte), the cell is charged/ discharged
and the resulting pressure change recorded.
A gas sample port (valve) (P/N ECC1-00-0155-A) is available as an option. The gas sample port
may be used to draw gas samples for subsequent analysis, or to pressurize the cell at the
beginning of the experiment by means of a syringe.

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CE
(CE/CA1)
WE
(WE/CA2)
CE Sense
(Ref3)
RE
(Ref2)
7 Electrical connection
The electrical connection of the test cell to the potentiostat or battery tester is depicted below
for 3-electrode operation (i.e. using a reference electrode). For 2-electrode operation the RE
lead is to be connected to the cell base.
NOTE: Some potentiostats may not have the CE sense lead. Avoid turning the contact screw,
as this could interrupt the electrical connection between the feed wire and the current
collector.
The notations in brackets refer to the standard connection with a Biologic potentiostat
(MPG-2, SP, VSP and VMP series).
http://www.bio-logic.info/electrochemistry-ec-lab/instruments/
WE
Sense (Ref1)

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8Unpacking
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-Air-Ni test cell, fully equipped for use with and without reference
PTFE-Plug, assembly –ECC1-00-0130-B
Current collector 18 mm (Ni) –ECC1-00-0069-F
Glass fiber separator 18mm x 1.55mm (10 pcs) –ECC1-01-0012-C/X
Sleeve (REF) –ECC1-00-0058-B
PE seal (10 pcs) –ECC1-00-0053-A/X
Sleeve removing tool –ECC1-00-0092-A
Ref electrode ECC (Ni) –ECC1-00-0010-D
Provided fittings for transfer lines:
Nut –ECC1-00-0125-A (2 pcs)
Ferrule 1.6 (2 Pcs) –ECC1-00-0029-E
NOTE: Capillary tubing (“transfer lines”) with 1/16 inch outer diameter is required to run the
test cell, but are not included in the shipping. We recommend the use of stainless steel or
PEEKsil™capillary tubing.
6

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9 Technical data
Height: 90 mm
Width: 54 mm
Depth: 70 mm
Weight: 640 g
Temperature range: -20 to +70 °C
Electrode diameter: 18 mm
Cell dead volume (head space) of approx. 4.3 cm3
Electrolyte volume min: 0.05 cm3

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10 Spare parts
ECC-Air-Ni test cell

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Ref electrode ECC (Ni)
ECC1-00-0010-D

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11 Technical 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
12 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 warranties 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 b y the parties
hereto.

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Transfer lines
Assembly:
The provided fittings are compatible with 1/16 inch outer diameter tubing. We recommend
the use of stainless steel or PEEKsil™ capillary tubing
NOTE: When using metal tubes, there could be a grounding of the cell lid and the upper
electrode. The grounding could cause problems with the potentiostat. Consider to use a
floating mode potentiostat when metal tubes are used.
In Siphon
Gas outlet
Gas inlet
Nut
ECC1-00-0125-A
Ferrule 1.6
ECC1-00-0029-E