High surface area, supported precious metal cathodes utilizing metal microfibrous collectors for application in chlor-alkali cells

Abstract

Activated cathodes were prepared from papermaking techniques for use in a membrane type chlor-alkali cell. These cathodes consisted of a nickel fiber matrix, which entrapped a platinum electrocatalyst supported on activated carbon fiber. Following optimizations of the void volume, thickness, catalyst loading, carbon support, and substrate-support ratio, these cathodes performed at an overpotential of only 58 mV @ 3 kA m )2 in a cell containing 30 wt% NaOH at 80°C. In addition to I/V performance, cathodes were characterized for catalyst dispersion and support surface area. When testing was discontinued, activated cathodes had demonstrated stability for greater than 60 days in a custom cell designed for continuous, steady-state operation.

The Application of Microfibrous Entrapped Activated Carbon Composite Material for the Sarin Simulant Dimethyl Methylphosphonate Adsorption

“…The utilization of a fiber network structure composed of microfibers for entrapping micron-sized multiphase catalysts, adsorbents, and other solid reactant particles results in a significant improvement in heat and mass transfer processes. Compared with traditional adsorbents, MFECs have a significant advantage of high adsorption efficiency and low diffusion resistance [28][29][30]. In order to effectively increase adsorption performance, bed utilization, and protection time, researchers have combined the MFECS and PB to create an SFB, where the PB layer removes the high-concentration of adsorbate at the front end of the bed, and the low-concentration of adsorbate is removed at the tail end [31][32][33].…”