Glassy Carbon Diamond Anode for Fluorine Electrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolysis processes face challenges with the anode effect, electrode wear, and disintegration in carbon electrodes, and nickel anodes, particularly in high HF concentration environments, limiting the stability and productivity of fluorine compound synthesis.
Innovation Solution
An electrode comprising a glassy carbon substrate coated with an electrically conductive diamond film, which prevents the anode effect, electrode wear, and disintegration, enabling long-term continuous electrolysis even in high HF concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If carbon anodes are used to reduce electrode wear, then electrode durability is improved, but the anode effect occurs due to fluorinated graphite formation that passivates the electrode surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining glassy carbon substrate with diamond coating layer to create an anode that resists both wear and fluorinated graphite formation. The diamond layer provides chemical inertness preventing passivation while the glassy carbon substrate ensures electrical conductivity and structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between durability and performance stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the electrode by coating with diamond, which fundamentally alters the chemical reactivity parameter. This prevents the formation of fluorinated graphite that causes passivation, while maintaining the electrical and mechanical properties needed for durable operation, thus resolving the contradiction between electrode durability and performance stability.
2Productivity
If current density is increased to improve productivity, then synthesis rate is improved, but the anode effect becomes more apt to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The diamond-coated glassy carbon anode enables operation at high current densities without anode effect by providing a surface that does not form passivating fluorinated graphite. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high productivity through increased current density while maintaining reliability through the chemically inert diamond surface.
3Reliability
If nickel is used as anode material to avoid anode effect, then electrode performance stability is improved, but electrode wear is accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines glassy carbon substrate with diamond coating to create an anode that achieves both the performance stability of nickel (by preventing anode effect) and the durability of carbon materials. The diamond layer provides chemical inertness like nickel while the carbon-based composite structure maintains the durability characteristics, resolving the contradiction between reliability and durability.
4Reliability
If water concentration is minimized to prevent anode effect, then electrode performance stability is improved, but productivity is limited due to restricted current density operation
Solution Approach 1:
The diamond-coated glassy carbon anode allows operation with higher water concentration in the electrolyte without triggering anode effect, as the diamond surface does not form passivating fluorinated graphite. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both high reliability (no anode effect) and high productivity (higher allowable current density) simultaneously.
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 glassy carbon conductive diamond electrode ensures stable and continuous electrolysis, preventing anode effects and electrode disintegration, thereby improving the productivity of fluorine compounds and gases.
Implementation Method 1
An electrolytic process in which a solution prepared by dissolving an inorganic or organic compound in anhydrous hydrofluoric acid (anhydrous HF) is used as an electrolytic bath to electrolytically synthesize an inorganic fluorine compound, organic fluorine compound, or fluorine gas
Implementation Method 2
a substrate comprising an electrically conductive material, wherein the surface of the substrate is made of glassy carbon
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electrode for electrolysis, wherein the electrode comprises: a substrate comprising an electrically conductive material, wherein the surface of the substrate is made of glassy carbon; and an electrically conductive diamond film with which at least part of the substrate is coated.