How Dimensionally Stable Anodes (DSA) are Used for Hydrogen Production?

How Dimensionally Stable Anodes (DSA) are Used for Hydrogen Production?

Hydrogen production via electrochemical technology is one of the most sustainable methods, choosing an appropriate counter electrode is critical.

Modified electrodes of dimensionally stable anodes (DSA) have emerged as an alternative, with a high chemical and electrochemical stability. The chosen coating must allow the transport of an electric charge between the base metal and the electrode/electrolyte interface, as well as being able to catalyse the electrochemical reactions of interest. These electrodes are characterised by an active coating, such as ruthenium, deposited on a metal substrate, such as Ti.

DSA anodes have been used for the oxidation of dyes, pesticides, tannery wastewater, and for the production of gases such as Cl2 and O2.

DSA anodes have been used specifically for the production of oxygen, but also function as counter electrodes in hydrogen production during the catalytic electrolysis of seawater, when a manganese oxide coating was used. However, until now, the use of a substrate of A304 stainless steel plates with a RuO2 coating for use as DSA counter electrodes in an electrochemical cell for hydrogen production has not been reported. Hence, the focus of this work was the preparation of modified electrodes (DSA) using plates of A304 stainless steel and Ti as a substrate, applying a RuO2 coating for use as anodes in the catalytic electrolysis of water.

The modified counter electrodes (DSA) of A304|RuO2 and Ti|RuO2 make it possible to obtain less cathodic potentials for the start of the generation of H2(g) in conjunction with the working electrodes of A304, A316 and Ti, even in comparison to electrodes of Pt. The response obtained by the DSA electrode prepared with a stainless steel A304 substrate and RuO2 coating (A304|RuO2) showed very similar behaviour to the DSA electrode of Ti (Ti|RuO2). Therefore, it was determined that it is feasible to use this material as a substrate to manufacture DSA electrodes.