Electrodes for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

Electrodes for alkaline water electrolysis have been made by applying high specific surface area coatings of nickel or nickel‐iron alloy to steel or nickel substrates. The coatings are applied as polysilicate‐based paints containing particles of the desired metals. The coating is sintered into a porous structure which is bonded firmly to the substrate. The present electrode preparation method has been used to coat a variety of substrate forms, such as flat plates or wire screens, and is compatible with commercial alkaline electrolysis equipment. The resulting electrodes were found to be particularly effective as anodes for oxygen evolution. The efficiency of the electrodes was greatly influenced by coating microstructure. This microstructure, in turn, could be controlled by adjusting the sintering conditions. Electrochemical operating characteristics of the electrodes in at 80°C were determined. Comparable oxygen evolution efficiencies were obtained with coatings made from nickel powders, nickel flake, and nickel‐iron alloy powder.