Scientific Scope
The 3rd Symposium on “Insights into Gas Diffusion Electrodes: From Fundamentals to Industrial Applications & Beyond the OER” is a joint initiative of the Research Units FOR 2397 “Multiscale Analysis of Complex Three-Phase Systems – Oxygen and CO2 Reduction” and FOR 2982 “Unusual Anode Reactions in Electrochemical Energy conversion: Value Creation rather than Oxygen Evolution in Hydrogen Production”, both funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Porous gas-diffusion electrodes (GDE) play a key role in both projects.
GDEs have broad applications in different electrochemical devices such as (bio)-fuel cells, (bio)-electrolyzers, and batteries for energy conversion as well as inorganic and organic synthesis applications. Although very different chemistries and materials are involved, all of these examples share similarities related to so-called “three phase boundaries” as well as pronounced mass transfer challenges related to slow diffusivity and low solubility of gases.
In this topical meeting, we would like to address these challenges explicitly with respect to:
- Advanced methods for GDE preparation (devoted to control of local arrangement of GDE materials and porosity) and simulation driven methods for GDE structure optimization.
- Study of reaction kinetics and reaction mechanisms involving gaseous products or reactants.
- Advanced characterization methods for GDEs (dynamic, in-situ, and operando studies).
- Multiscale modelling of GDE operation including reaction and transport resistances.
- Alternative anode reactions to replace the complex oxygen evolution reaction such as alcohol oxidation, lignin oxidation, ammonia oxidation, nitrogen oxidation.