A method for improving the function and catalytic activity of the electrodes and the catalytically active substances in an electrochemical or electrocatalytic process

摘要

A process is disclosed for conditioning and/or restoring the functioning and catalytic activity of electrodes (2, 3) and catalytic substances used in an electrochemical or electrocatalytic process. Ionisation or de-ionisation processes that absorb or release electrons directly or in one or several intermediate steps are carried out in a cell made up of two electrodes (2, 3) or catalytic coatings mutually separated by an electrolyte (1) or an electroconductive layer. A voltage is applied to both electrodes (2, 3). The measurement voltage in such cells often diminishes after a longer use, causing excessively high oxygen values to be erroneously displayed. Furthermore, reaction inertia strongly increases as the temperature falls down. In order to improve the functioning and catalytic activity of such measurement cells without interrupting the measurement operations for too long nor inadmissibly affecting them, the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrodes (2, 3) is changed at least once.