The Electrode Paste mix is used to make the self-baking, continuous electrodes needed for the electric melting process that's used in producing several important industrial metals. This product is used in the manufacture of cylinder electrodes for use in aluminum, ferroalloy and calcium carbide furnaces.
The cylinder electrodes are a critical component in the aluminum smelting process, and the capacity of these carbon-based products is determined by the amount of charge that can be stored at the electrode/electrolyte interface. The greater this surface area, the higher the capacity. This invention provides a way to increase the capacitance in carbon electrodes. It does so by giving them a porous surface that creates large boundary surfaces when exposed to electrolyte.
This is accomplished by modifying the pore structures of the carbon electrodes with a series of ionic liquids consisting of N-octyl pyridinium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide with substituents such as hydrogen, cyanide, chloride and nitromethane. The ionic fluids are a weak chemical interaction between the graphite and the ionic liquids. This allows the water molecules to penetrate the electrode. It allows electrolyte to penetrate into the electrode. This promotes high capacitive responses compared with an unmodified graphite paste electrode.
Carbon electrodes have an outer layer of carbon-based materials, which is composed of a mixture of calcined coal tar, petroleum coke and additives. It is then wetted down with a wetting agents to facilitate saturation of porous separators with electrolyte.
The electrode 14, which is the opposite electrode, comprises a powdered material such as copper or nickel in combination with an electrolyte. The powdered metal in admixture with the electrolyte preferably has a particle size of less than 10 microns. In addition, the ionicliquids promote penetration of electrolyte in to the carbon surface. This allows the electrical current to travel through the electrode. It is possible to generate a capacitance that exceeds the CPE without modification. The voltammetric measurements are also in agreement with these results.
An annular means or gasket 15 is cemented or in some manner affixed to conducting member 12. Gasket 15 confines carbon electrode 13 as well as metal electrode 14. This prevents them from expanding outwards of the cylindrical area in which they are contained. Gasket 15 may also be made of an insulating substance, although those with knowledge in this field will readily see other ways to confine the electrodes. This electrode configuration facilitates electron-transfer speeds that are comparable with those obtained using dry graphite, under the conditions of careful composition and pretreatment. It is possible to create an electrode system of high capacitance that has excellent electrical characteristics and stability. Moreover, the high-capacitance of this electrode system is maintained even after long periods of continuous operation.
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