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User Manual ECC-Opto-Std-Aqu
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 several different configurations, which mainly differ in the type
and size of the working electrode used, the charging geometry (the position of working and
counter electrode relative to each other), and the connection to the potentiostat (2 - or 3-
electrode connection). In the following, the cell assembly is described for the standard
sandwich geometry using 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 gold current collector disc and 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 should not exceed 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, and does not have to
pass an electrolyte layer.
7. Insert the upper O-Ring seal (16 x 1.8 mm) into the cell body, and place the glass
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°.
