The Copper (Cu) gas diffusion electrode (GDE) is a 10 × 10 cm electrode used on the cathode side of a CO₂ electrolyzer. A GDE is a porous electrode that lets gaseous CO₂ reach the catalyst directly, avoiding the current limit caused by its low solubility in water (hundreds of mA cm⁻² are possible). Copper is the only common pure metal that converts CO₂ into products with two or more carbons (ethylene, ethanol, etc.); methane, CO, formate and hydrogen can form as side products. The distribution is very sensitive to potential, electrolyte and cations (K⁺). Manufacturer reference selectivity is ≥70%.

The model code selects the option: CB standard, CT better stability, U enhanced gas transport, H enhanced flooding resistance; X marks versions suitable for solid-electrolyte cells (CBX, CTX, CBUX, CTUX). Flooding means electrolyte fills the pores and blocks CO₂, raising hydrogen formation. Catalyst loading is about 1 mg cm⁻² (manufacturer data); reference performance was measured in an MEA electrolyzer.

Key Features

Target product: C₂₊ products (ethylene, ethanol, etc.); reference selectivity ≥70% (manufacturer data)
Gas-diffusion structure: CO₂ reaches the catalyst from the gas phase, suited to high-current-density operation
10 × 10 cm size; catalyst loading ~1 mg cm⁻² (manufacturer data)
Standard (CB) and better-stability (CT) options
Enhanced gas transport (U) and enhanced flooding resistance (H) options; combined versions (CBUH, CTUH)
X versions are suitable for solid-electrolyte cells
In zero-gap cells, anolyte concentration and cation type strongly affect the product distribution on copper; anolyte choice is a key variable with this electrode
Reference performance measured in an MEA electrolyzer; may vary with conditions

Technical Specifications

Product type	CO₂RR cathode gas diffusion electrode (GDE)
Catalyst	Copper (Cu)
Size	10 × 10 cm (100 cm²)
Target product	C₂₊ products (ethylene, ethanol, etc.)
Reference selectivity (manufacturer data)	≥70%
Catalyst loading	~1 mg cm⁻² (manufacturer data)
Options (model code)	CB standard; CT better stability; U enhanced gas transport; H enhanced flooding resistance (CBU, CTU, CBH, CTH, CBUH, CTUH); X solid-electrolyte compatible (CBX, CTX, CBUX, CTUX)
Reference test cell	Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolyzer
Notes	Selectivity varies with test conditions (electrolyte, temperature, pressure, current density); catalyst/electrode preparation and testing services are not included

Available Options

Model	Description
Cu-CB (Standard)	Standard
Cu-CT (Better stability)	Better stability
Cu-CBU (Enhanced gas transport)	Enhanced gas transport
Cu-CTU (Better stability, enhanced gas transport)	Better stability, enhanced gas transport
Cu-CBH (Enhanced flooding resistance)	Enhanced flooding resistance
Cu-CTH (Better stability, enhanced flooding resistance)	Better stability, enhanced flooding resistance
Cu-CBUH (Enhanced gas transport, enhanced flooding resistance)	Enhanced gas transport, enhanced flooding resistance
Cu-CTUH (Better stability, enhanced gas transport, enhanced flooding resistance)	Better stability, enhanced gas transport, enhanced flooding resistance
Cu-CBX (Suitable for solid-electrolyte cells)	Suitable for solid-electrolyte cells
Cu-CTX (Suitable for solid-electrolyte cells, better stability)	Suitable for solid-electrolyte cells, better stability
Cu-CBUX (Suitable for solid-electrolyte cells, enhanced gas transport)	Suitable for solid-electrolyte cells, enhanced gas transport
Cu-CTUX (Suitable for solid-electrolyte cells, better stability, enhanced gas transport)	Suitable for solid-electrolyte cells, better stability, enhanced gas transport

For sizes and specifications not listed above, you can request a custom quotation through the Quote Form.

Applications

CO₂RR MEA (zero-gap) electrolyzer testing
GDE flow-cell studies
Comparing stability and flooding behavior across CB / CT / U / H options
Screening operating parameters such as anolyte/cation type, temperature, pressure and CO₂ flow
Liquid-product studies (e.g. ethanol, acetic acid) in solid-electrolyte cells (X versions)