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User Manual ECC-DEMS –Release 1.42
5 Cell Assembly
The test cell can either be operated in 2-electrode or 3-electrode (reference) configuration. In the
following, the cell assembly is described for operation with a lithium metal reference and a lithium
metal counter electrode. For more details please refer to the separate manuals of the ECC-REF and
the ECC-STD test cell.
Generally, all assembly steps are to be carried out in inert glove box atmosphere. All components
used are to be dried upfront in a vacuum oven at 80°C for at least 12 hours.
Assembly:
i) Load the feed-through hole of the REF sleeve with a small amount of lithium metal with the
aid of a metal wire. Take care that the narrow part of the feed-through hole is COMPLETELY
filled with lithium, so that the lithium filling gets into direct contact with the separator inside
the sleeve and with the REF pin from outside. A dedicated tool, the ECC-RefLoad, is optionally
available to ease the procedure (
ii) Insert the REF sleeve into the cell base.
iii) Mount the locking washer, thereby aligning the side opening of the cell base with the feed-
through hole of the REF sleeve.
iv) Attach the reference pin assembly to the cell base.
v) Place the working electrode into the sleeve on the spiral-type flow field.
vi) Put the glass fibre separator on top of the working electrode.
vii) Dispense a defined amount of electrolyte, approx. 0.5 cm3, onto the separator
viii) Place a lithium metal disc (18 mm diameter) on top of the separator inside the sleeve.
ix) Insert the plunger, the spring, and the PE seal.
x) Attach the cell lid, insert the cell into the bracket, and tighten the wing nut.
xi) Connect the cell to the gas supply and to the instrumentation used for gas analysis. The
provided fittings are compatible with 1/16 inch outer diameter tubing. We recommend the
use of stainless steel or PEEKsil™capillary tubing.
NOTE: Make sure not to short circuit cell lid and base through electrically conducting tube.
Consider using a floating mode potentiostat when grounding either the cell lid or base by
using metal tubing.
