Anode-side separator with indium tin oxide and platinum film
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anode-side separators in water electrolysis devices face challenges with high contact resistance and corrosion issues due to the use of general-purpose metals, which affect the electroconductivity and durability of the separators, and the cost of noble metal layers is a concern.
Innovation Solution
An anode-side separator is designed with a metal backing of titanium or stainless steel, an indium tin oxide electroconductive oxide film, and a thin platinum noble metal film, where the noble metal film thickness is between 3 nm and 5 nm, and the electroconductive oxide film thickness is between 0.05 µm and 0.8 µm, improving electroconductivity and reducing material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a noble metal layer (e.g., Au) is directly laminated on the metal backing to achieve high electroconductivity and corrosion resistance, then the electroconductivity and corrosion resistance are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-layer structure consisting of a metal backing layer, an intermediate oxide film layer, and a noble metal layer. This composite structure combines the advantages of each material: the metal backing provides mechanical strength and basic electroconductivity, the oxide film provides corrosion resistance and adhesion promotion, and the thin noble metal layer provides surface electroconductivity and catalytic activity while minimizing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The oxide film acts as an intermediary layer between the metal backing and the noble metal layer. This intermediate layer serves multiple functions: it prevents direct contact between the noble metal and the metal backing (reducing noble metal consumption and cost), provides corrosion resistance, improves adhesion between layers, and maintains electroconductivity. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling the use of thinner noble metal layers while maintaining performance
2Ease of manufacture
If an inexpensive electroconductive oxide film is formed on the metal backing to reduce cost, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the contact resistance increases and electroconductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where the oxide film is combined with a thin noble metal layer. The oxide film provides cost-effectiveness and basic electroconductivity, while the thin noble metal layer (applied on top of the oxide film) restores and enhances the surface electroconductivity and reduces contact resistance. This composite approach allows the use of inexpensive materials while maintaining high electroconductivity through the synergistic effect of the layers
3Ease of manufacture
If the noble metal layer thickness is reduced to lower material cost, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the electroconductivity and corrosion resistance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The oxide film serves as an intermediary that enables the use of ultra-thin noble metal layers. By providing a conductive base layer and adhesion promotion, the oxide film allows the noble metal layer to be applied at minimal thickness (0.1-5 nm) while maintaining sufficient electroconductivity and corrosion resistance. The intermediary layer compensates for the reduced thickness of the noble metal, resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and performance maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thickness parameter of the noble metal layer to an ultra-thin range (0.1-5 nm) that was previously not sufficient for adequate performance. By combining this parameter change with the introduction of the oxide film intermediary layer, the system achieves both cost reduction (through minimal noble metal usage) and maintained performance (through the synergistic multi-layer structure)
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances electroconductivity, suppresses corrosion, and reduces material costs while maintaining durability, effectively addressing the limitations of previous anode-side separators by using a combination of titanium or stainless steel with indium tin oxide and a thin platinum film.
Implementation Method 1
the electroconductive oxide film containing indium tin oxide
Implementation Method 2
the noble metal film containing platinum, where the thickness of the noble metal film is less than 10 nm
Implementation Method 3
a metal backing made of titanium or stainless steel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An anode-side separator (12) that is used in a water electrolysis device (100) includes a metal backing (8) made of titanium or stainless steel, an electroconductive oxide film (9) provided on a surface (8s) of the metal backing (8), the electroconductive oxide film (9) containing indium tin oxide, and a noble metal film (7) provided on a surface (9s) of the electroconductive oxide film (9), the noble metal film (7) containing platinum.