A continuous process for the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis synthesis of RuO2/TiO2 particles and their application as a coating of activated titanium anode

Abstract

Synthesis and subsequent deposition of sub-micron spherical RuO2/TiO2 particles onto titanium were performed by continuous process in two connected reactors, exclusively applied for this purpose. Synthesis of particles was achieved by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method in the first reactor. The deposition of thus produced RuO2/TiO2 onto an expanded titanium substrate was performed at 500 degrees C afterwards in the second, specially constructed, reactor equipped by high-voltage electrostatic field. Basic electrochemical properties of the obtained RuO2/TiO2 particles were checked in a form of the coating on Ti deposited from the suspension of the material produced in the first reactor. Thus prepared anode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), polarization measurements in O-2 (OER) and Cl-2 (CER) evolution and the accelerated stability test in diluted chloride solution. The morphology and composition of the deposited RuO2/TiO2 were checked by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Analysis of the results obtained for OER and CER showed that Tafel slopes for these reactions were in accordance with the values for this kind of material. The CV response was of usual characteristics too. The accelerated stability test revealed acceptable anode stability.