Electrodes for electrolytic cells

Abstract

An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, and a method for producing same, wherein said electrode comprises an internal copper conductor and an external element of a second metal, at least a portion of each having contact surfaces being held in intimate contact with the other, said conductor and said element each having a conductive coating applied to the contact surface, said conductive coating comprising between about 20 and about 30 percent indium and between about 80 and about 70 percent gallium, whereby the contact resistance between said conductor and said element is reduced.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, said electrode being comprised of an internal copper conductor and an external element, said element being selected from the group consisting of titanium and nickel, at least a portion of said copper conductor having contact surfaces which are held in intimate contact with contact surfaces of said external element, said conductor and said element having at an area of contact a conductive coating between said contact surfaces of said conductor and said element, said conductive coating being comprised of a mixture of between about 20 and about 30 percent indium by weight and about 80 and about 70 percent gallium by weight, whereby the contact resistance between said conductor and said element is reduced. 
     
     
       2. The electrode of claim 1 wherein said conductive compound is comprised of between about 23 and about 26 percent by weight of indium and about 77 and about 74 percent by weight of gallium. 
     
     
       3. An electrolytic cell containing the electrode of claim 1. 
     
     
       4. The electrode of claim 1 wherein the titanium further has a layer of copper on said contact surface. .Iadd. 
     
     
       5.  An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell said electrode comprising in combination: (a) copper means having at least a first mating contact surface for conducting electrical energy;   (b) electrolyte corrosion-resistant means having a second mating contact surface which contacts the conductor means along the first mating surface to prevent corrosion of the conductor means, the corrosion-resistant means being selected from the group consisting of titanium and nickel;   (c) electrode surface means connected to the conductor means; and   (d) an electrically conductive coating in contact with the at least first mating contact surface of the copper conductor means and the second mating contact surface of the corrosion-resistant means, the electrically conductive coating being a liquid-metal mixture comprising between about 20 and about 30 percent indium by weight and between about 80 and 70 percent gallium by weight such that the electrical contact resistance between the conductor means and the corrosion-resistant means is reduced. .Iaddend. .Iadd.6. The electrode according to claim 5 wherein said conductive compound is comprised of between about 23 and about 26 percent by weight of indium and about 77 and about 74 percent by weight of gallium. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The electrode according to claim 5 wherein the corrosion-resistant means is made of titanium and has a layer of copper on the mating contact surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell having copper conductor means with at least a first mating contact surface for conducting electrical energy, electrolyte corrosion-resistant means having a second mating contact surface which contacts the conductor means along the first mating contact surface, the corrosion-resistant means being selected from the group consisting of titanium and nickel, and electrode surface means connected to the conductor means, the improvement comprising:   an electrically conductive coating in contact with the at least first mating contact surface of the copper means and the second mating contact surface of the corrosion-resistant means, the electrically conductive coating being a liquid-metal mixture comprising between about 20 and about 30 percent indium by weight and between about 80 and about 70 percent gallium by weight such that the electrical contact resistance between the conductor means and the corrosion-resistant means is reduced. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The electrode according to claim 8 wherein said conductive compound is comprised of between about 23 and about 26 percent by weight of indium and about 77 and about 74 percent by weight of gallium. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The electrode according to claim 8 wherein the corrosion-resistant means is made of titanium and has a layer of copper on the mating contact surface. .Iaddend.