Rutherford backscattering analysis of the failure of chlorine anodes
Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry, carried out at the ORNL Surface Modification And Characterization Collaborative Research Center (SMAC) facility, has been applied to the nondestructive analysis of Ru02-Ti02 electrodes of 5000A, which mimic the DSA anodes in composition and the method of preparation. Occidental Chemical Corporation provided electrodes, which had been subjected to lifetime testing in H2S04 solution, for analysis by ORNL. The results were used to test the hypothesis of degradation of these, and similar electrodes, from a process involving a decrease in the Ru02:Ti02 ratio at and near the electrode surface and the related decrease in the electrode electrical conductivity. The drop in electrode activity is closely linked to a decrease in Ru content, and the measured profiles show that the loss takes place across the thin Ru02-Ti02 coating. No buildup of a pure Ti02 layer is apparent. The data agree quantitatively with the critical concentration previously reported by ORNL for materials produced by ion implantation and characterized by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry and Photoacoustic Spectrometry. The study has brought a better understanding of the degradation process in electrodes of great technological importance, and has given a more solid background in designing new fabrication procedures for improved electrodes.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-96OR22464
- OSTI ID:
- 2937
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/M-5209; ON: DE00002937
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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