# 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.

- **Patent:** US 20210123152
- **Original title:** Method for Preparing Large-area Catalyst Electrode
- **Owner:** National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology NCSIST
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 21
- **Field:** energy, materials, chemical_manufacturing

## What it does

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 does NOT 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."

## Real-world examples

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

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How to Make Big Electrodes for Splitting Water cover?

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.

### Who owns patent US 20210123152?

This patent is owned by National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology NCSIST.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on October 22, 2040, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 20210123152 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 21 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

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.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover catalyst electrodes made without using all three specified metals: iron, cobalt, and nickel compounds.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20210123152/method-for-preparing-large-area-catalyst-electrode

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210123152

---

_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._