Platinized Titanium Fiber Felt Gas Diffusion Layers

Platinized Titanium Fiber Felt Gas Diffusion Layers

Platinized titanium felt is a specialist material frequently utilized as a flow field or diffuser material in electrolyzer stacks and single cells, particularly on the oxygen (anode) side. This material is made by depositing a thin layer of platinum onto flattened titanium fibers that have been compressed and annealed to create a smooth, flat surface suitable for use in electrolyzers. Platinized titanium felt provides electrical contact between the anode catalyst layer and the bipolar plate or current collector component on the anode side, making it an ideal diffusion medium. It is highly resistant to corrosion and can withstand harsh operating conditions, making it a cost-effective and durable solution for hydrogen production by electrolysis.

Parameter

Platinum coating thickness: 0.5 micron or customized

Substrate: titanium fiber felt

Felt thickness: 0.2-5.0mm

Porosity: 60%-80%

Fiber diameter: 10~100 microns

Features

1. High electrocatalytic activity: Platinum is known for its high electrocatalytic activity, particularly for the oxygen reduction reaction. When deposited on a titanium felt substrate, platinum forms a highly porous material with a large surface area, providing ample space for electrochemical reactions to occur.

2. High durability: Platinized titanium felt is highly resistant to corrosion and can withstand harsh operating conditions, making it ideal for use in a variety of industrial and scientific applications.

3. Efficient mass transport: The highly porous nature of platinized titanium felt allows for efficient mass transport of reactants to the electrode surface, which is critical for the performance of electrochemical systems.

4. Easy to fabricate: Platinized titanium felt can be easily fabricated using a variety of techniques, including electroplating, sputtering, and chemical vapor deposition. This makes it a cost-effective and scalable material for use in large-scale applications.

Applications

1. Chlor-alkali industry: Platinized titanium felt is used as an anode material in the production of chlorine and caustic soda in the chlor-alkali industry. The platinum coating on the titanium substrate prevents the formation of a passivating oxide layer on the anode surface, ensuring high electrochemical performance and durability.

2. Electrowinning: Platinized titanium felt is used as an electrode material in the electrowinning of metals such as copper, zinc, and lead. The platinum coating on the titanium substrate provides excellent electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, making it an ideal electrode material.

3. Electrosynthesis: Platinized titanium felt is used as a catalyst support in electrosynthesis reactions, such as the production of organic compounds and fine chemicals. The platinum coating on the titanium substrate enhances the catalytic activity of the supported catalyst, leading to higher yields and selectivity.

4. Electrolytic capacitors: Platinized titanium felt is used as an electrode material in high-performance electrolytic capacitors. The platinum coating on the titanium substrate provides excellent electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, ensuring high performance and long-term reliability.

5. Water treatment: Platinized titanium felt is used as an electrode material in electrochemical water treatment systems, such as electrocoagulation and electrooxidation. The platinum coating on the titanium substrate enhances the electrochemical performance of the electrode, leading to effective water treatment and disinfection.

What are the benefits of using platinized titanium felt?

Untreated titanium surfaces quickly form an electrically insulating oxide layer (TiO2) under high oxygen pressures, which can reduce electrochemical performance and increase the cell's interfacial resistance. Platinization of titanium, however, creates a chemically stable and electrically conductive coating that extends the lifetime of the bulk of the titanium, making it ideal for pressurized electrolyzers or longer operational lifetimes. Platinized titanium felt can be used at the anode or cathode as a diffusion medium in a range of unitized power modules or electrolyzers and other electrochemical devices, such as electrochemical oxygen concentrators, electrochemical inertia, or redox flow batteries.