Gas permeable electrodes and electrochemical cells

Abstract

An electrode for a water splitting device, the electrode comprising a gas permeable material, a second material, for example a further gas permeable material, a spacer layer positioned between the gas permeable material and the second material, the spacer layer providing a gas collection layer and a conducting layer. The conducting layer can be provided adjacent to or at least partially within the gas permeable material. The gas collection layer is able to transport gas internally in the electrode. The gas permeable materials can be gas permeable membranes. Also disclosed are electrochemical cells using such an electrode as the cathode and/or anode, and methods for bringing about gas-to-liquid or liquid-to-gas transformations, for example for producing hydrogen.

1 . An electrode for a water splitting device, comprising:
 a gas permeable material;   a second material;   a spacer layer positioned between the gas permeable material and the second material, the spacer layer providing a gas collection layer; and,   a conducting layer.   
     
     
         2 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the conducting layer is provided adjacent to or at least partially within the gas permeable material. 
     
     
         3 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the conducting layer is deposited on the gas permeable material. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the gas permeable material is deposited on the conducting layer. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the gas collection layer is able to transport gas internally in the electrode. 
     
     
         6 . The electrode of  claim 5 , wherein the gas collection layer is able to transport gas internally in the electrode to at least one gas exit area positioned at or near an edge or an end of the electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the gas permeable material and the second material are separate layers. 
     
     
         8 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is a gas permeable material. 
     
     
         9 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is a gas permeable material and a second conducting layer is provided adjacent to or at least partially within the second material. 
     
     
         10 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is a gas permeable material and a second conducting layer is deposited on the second material. 
     
     
         11 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the gas permeable material is a gas permeable membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is a further gas permeable membrane. 
     
     
         13 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is formed of flexible layers. 
     
     
         14 . The electrode of  claim 13 , wherein the electrode is at least partially wound in a spiral. 
     
     
         15 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the conducting layer includes one or more catalysts. 
     
     
         16 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer is positioned adjacent to an inner side of the gas permeable material. 
     
     
         17 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the conducting layer is positioned adjacent to, on or partially within an outer side of the gas permeable material. 
     
     
         18 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the gas permeable material and the second material includes PTFE, polyethylene or polypropylene. 
     
     
         19 . The electrode of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the conducting layer is between the one or more catalysts and the gas permeable material. 
     
     
         20 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer is in the form of a gas channel spacer. 
     
     
         21 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer includes embossed structures on an inner surface of the gas permeable material and/or the second material. 
     
     
         22 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the gas permeable material and the spacer layer are contiguous. 
     
     
         23 . The electrode of  claim 22 , wherein the gas permeable material and the second material are contiguous. 
     
     
         24 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the gas collection layer is at least partially filled with the spacer layer that allows gases to pass through the spacer layer. 
     
     
         34 - 49 . (canceled)