STUDY OF THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF GRAPHITE FELT EMPLOYED AS A POROUS ELECTRODE

The objective of the present work is to study the variation of the electrode distribution potential under electrical conductivity variation of graphite felt RVG 4000 ( Le Carbone Lorraine) when submitted to a mechanical compression. Experimental and theoretical studies show that this electrical conductivity variation can changes the electrode potential distribution E(x) working under limiting current conditions. This may occur when graphite felt is confined in an electrochemical reactor compartment or simply when it is submitted to a force performed by an electrolyte percolation in a turbulent flow. This investigation can contribute to the improvement of electrochemical cells that may use this material as an electrode. Finally, one modification is suggested in the equation that gives the electrode potential distribution E(x) - E(0). In this case the parameter L (thickness in metal porous electrodes) is substituted for Lf = Li (1-j), where j corresponds to the reduction factor of the initial thickness Li