This invention is concerned with catalytic gas-diffusion structures such as electrodes and barriers comprising, as an integral part of a portion thereof, a non-ionic aqueous gel such as a polyvinyl alcohol, rendering said electrode impervious to gas percolation, while retaining electrolyte contact with the structures; and with methods of using said electrodes or barriers in a variety of electrochemical systems including electrolysis cells, fuel cells, batteries and others, as well as in metal-recovery systems involving no electricity.
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