In reply to Nick Palmer's message of Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:58:44 +0100: Hi, [snip] >Meanwhile, the protons in solution are carried by >phosphate anions to a conventional platinum cathode where they gain >electrons to form hydrogen. [snip] If only the cathode is platinum, then I see no reason why it can't be replaced by a cheaper metal, since it is "cathodically protected".
AFAIK the primary reason for using platinum group metals in such cells generally is that they resist being oxidized, and hence don't dissolve and go into solution - however perhaps a real electrochemist (Ed?) would care to step in here and straighten us all out. BTW this may also explain the importance of the discovery. By replacing the anode, they may have replaced the only electrode that heretofore actually had to be a noble metal. Regards, Robin van Spaandonk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
