Improvements in Fluorine Generation: Amorphous Carbon Anodes with Vertical Channels

We describe improvements that have allowed us to operate fluorine cells with YBD ™ amorphous carbon anodes for over 2000 h and at current densities over 200 mA · cm −2 practically free of polarization. Vertical channels, 0.2 mm wide and 2 mm deep, facilitate the movement of fluorine up the face of the anode to the electrolyte surface where it escapes into the vapor space. One anode was operated at 226 mA · cm −2 ; it polarized at 100 h, was subjected to a high voltage treatment, and then ran for over 2000 h without polarizing. Another anode ran well at 338 mA · cm −2 . Current efficiency estimates for hydrogen generation and for fluorine generation were near 100%.