Comparison between Derived Sol-Gel and conventional methods for the preparation of Dimensionally Stable Ta/IrO2 Anodes for oxygen evolution

Abstract

The elaboration of inert anodes suitable for oxygen evolution in acidic media was investigated. These electrodes are formed of a tantalum substrate covered by a catalyst layer of iridium oxide IrO2. In this work, the catalyst coating was obtained by thermal decomposition of coating solutions prepared by two methods: (1) the derived Sol-Gel method using iridium acetylacetonate ([CH3COCH=C(O)CH3]3Ir) dissolved in an isopropanol – acetic acid mixture and (2) the classic method which uses a solution of iridium tetrachloride dissolved in a ethanol – isopropanol mixture. These electrodes were characterised by electrochemical and physical techniques. The use of the derived Sol-Gel method for the preparation of Ta/IrO2 electrodes yields very active electrocatalytic layer, such an electrocatalytic coating may be expected to be used for short time electrolysis runs with high rates of production.