Electrolysis electrode and preparation method therefor, electrolysis apparatus, and clothing treatment device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Iridium-based oxide electrodes in electrochemical processes suffer from instability due to thermal expansion coefficient differences, leading to cracking and reduced service life, and clothing treatment devices face issues with bacterial growth and dye transfer during washing.

Innovation Solution

A thin aluminum oxide transition layer is applied to a titanium base body, followed by a nano hybrid coating of iridium oxide and cobalt oxide, enhancing electrocatalytic performance and preventing cracking, while an electrolysis apparatus generates hydroxyl radicals for effective sterilization and decolorization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an iridium-based oxide coating is applied to a base body, then electrocatalytic activity and corrosion resistance are improved, but cracking occurs due to thermal expansion coefficient difference, reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrocatalytic activity and corrosion resistanceVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A transition layer is introduced between the iridium-based oxide coating and the base body. This intermediate layer has a thermal expansion coefficient that gradually transitions from the coating to the base body, reducing the thermal stress and preventing cracking while maintaining the electrocatalytic activity and corrosion resistance of the coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode structure is designed as a composite material system consisting of the base body, transition layer, and iridium-based oxide coating. This composite structure combines materials with different properties to achieve both high electrocatalytic performance and thermal stability, preventing the cracking that would otherwise occur due to thermal expansion mismatch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If cracks form in the coating due to thermal expansion difference, then oxygen permeates through cracks during heat treatment, causing high-temperature oxidation of the substrate, but this oxidation shortens service life and causes material fall-off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat treatment temperatureVSAvoidsubstrate oxidation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transition layer serves as an oxygen barrier during heat treatment. It prevents oxygen from permeating through the coating cracks to reach the substrate, thereby preventing high-temperature oxidation of the base body while allowing the coating to maintain its integrity at elevated temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transition layer is designed to accommodate thermal expansion differences before they can cause cracking. By providing a gradual transition in thermal expansion coefficients, it cushions the thermal stress that would otherwise lead to crack formation and subsequent oxidation during heat treatment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If electrolyte permeates through cracks into the interface between base body and coating, then electrochemical oxidation of the base body surface is accelerated, but this reduces service life of the electrode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrochemical oxidation rateVSAvoidelectrode service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The transition layer acts as a barrier that prevents electrolyte from permeating through cracks to reach the base body interface. This protects the base body from accelerated electrochemical oxidation while still allowing the coating to perform its electrocatalytic function effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transition layer serves as a protective intermediary that blocks the pathway for electrolyte infiltration. By preventing electrolyte from reaching the base body-coating interface, it stops the accelerated electrochemical oxidation process that would otherwise rapidly degrade the electrode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 extends the service life of electrolysis electrodes and effectively degrades and decolorizes dyes, preventing color-cross and improving cleaning efficiency by generating hydroxyl radicals and microbubbles.

Implementation Method 1

due to difference between thermal expansion coefficients of an iridium-based oxide coating and a base body, and the iridium-based oxide coating generally exhibits a crisscrossing crack structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion coefficient matching: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

in the electrocatalytic process, electrochemical oxidation of the surface of the base body is also easily accelerated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

an electrolysis apparatus generates hydroxyl radicals for effective sterilization and decolorization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 4

iridium-based oxides appear relatively active in the field of electrochemistry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrocatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3960904B1Electrolysis electrode and preparation method therefor, electrolysis apparatus, and clothing treatment device
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 WUXI LITTLE SWAN ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

An electrolysis electrode and a preparation method therefor, an electrolysis apparatus, and a clothing treatment device. The electrolysis electrode comprises a substrate (10), a transition layer (20), and an electrode catalytic material layer (30), wherein the transition layer (20) is attached to the surface of the substrate (10), the electrode catalytic material layer (30) is attached to the surface of the transition layer (20), and the thickness of the transition layer (20) satisfies that: electrons can pass through the transition layer (20). The transition layer (20) of the electrolysis electrode is relatively thin, so that electrons can pass through the transition layer (20) due to a quantum tunneling effect, and thus the electrocatalytic performance of the electrolysis electrode is basically not affected. Furthermore, the transition layer (20) plays the role of transition connection, and can greatly improve the phenomenon of cracks in the electrode catalytic material layer (30) caused by the difference between expansion coefficients of the substrate (10) and the electrode catalytic material layer (30) in the prior art, thereby prolonging the service life of the electrolysis electrode.