How to Make Big Electrodes for Splitting Water

This patent describes a simple, energy-saving way to create large, efficient catalyst electrodes using a mix of iron, cobalt, and nickel compounds through an electrical plating process.

What it covers

The patent outlines a method for creating a "large-area catalyst electrode" that helps split water into hydrogen and oxygen. First, you mix specific metal compounds like iron sulfate, cobalt chloride, and nickel nitrate in a liquid solvent such as water or ethanol (Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Then, you place a negative electrode (cathode) and a positive electrode (anode) into this metal solution (Claim 1). Using a "two-electrode method," electricity is passed through the solution at a constant voltage (0.1V to 1V) or constant current (0.1A to 1A) for 1 to 20 minutes (Claim 9, 10). This process, called "cathodic electrochemical deposition," causes the metal compounds to form a coating on the cathode, which then becomes the finished catalyst electrode (Claim 1). For example, a graphite cathode could be coated with a nickel-cobalt-iron catalyst from a water-based solution.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover catalyst electrodes made without using all three specified metals: iron, cobalt, and nickel compounds.
• —Does not cover deposition methods other than "cathodic electrochemical deposition" (e.g., spraying, vacuum deposition).
• —Does not cover systems that use more than two electrodes during the deposition process.
• —Does not cover deposition processes that do not maintain a constant voltage or constant current.
• —Does not cover electrodes where the anode's area is smaller than the cathode's area.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in combining specific iron, cobalt, and nickel compounds with a straightforward, energy-efficient "cathodic electrochemical deposition" method to reliably produce large-area catalysts with "good dual-function water electrolysis catalytic property."

Why it matters

Efficient and large-scale water electrolysis is crucial for producing green hydrogen, a clean energy source. This patent aims to simplify the manufacturing of "large-area catalyst electrodes" which are key components in electrolyzers. By making the process "simple and energy-saving," it could help reduce the cost and increase the availability of these critical materials for clean energy technologies.

Real-world examples

• 1.Water electrolyzers for green hydrogen production
• 2.Fuel cells
• 3.Industrial chemical reactors
• 4.Electrochemical energy storage devices