Asymmetric bipolar electrochemistry: Detailed empirical description and determination of output characteristics of a galvanic system with multiple short-circuited cells in one electrolyte

It is empirically expected that if two galvanic cells are inserted in a single electrolyte cell, their output parameters will not be enhanced due to the internal (electrolyte) short circuit. Our previous concept of a galvanic cell with a galvanic short circuit (GSC) in a thin-layer arrangement disproved this expectation. Here, the system with GSC was studied in depth, described and an empiric model was derived and confirmed experimentally. The crucial influence of the solution and the charge transfer resistances on the output performance of the cell were observed. A set of galvanic cells was prepared using screen-printing. The panel of galvanic cells was designed and prepared in a way which enabled simple modular combination of more than one GSC. Thus, multiples of the voltage of the initial single cell can be obtained, while using only scissors for cutting the desired shape of the cell. The output characteristics under load were determined in a bulk measurement. Although, the enhancement of the output voltage in such experimental setup was not as pronounced as in a thin layer, the cell with GSC performed better in comparison with a single galvanic cell.