Title: Methods and systems for in-situ electroplating of electrodes

Abstract

The present techniques provide electrochemical devices having enhanced electrodes with surfaces that facilitate operation, such as by formation of a porous nickel layer on an operative surface, particularly of the cathode. The porous metal layer increases the surface area of the electrode, which may result in increasing the efficiency of the electrochemical devices. The formation of the porous metal layer is performed in situ, that is, after the assembly of the electrodes into an electrochemical device. The in situ process offers a number of advantages, including the ability to protect the porous metal layer on the electrode surface from damage during assembly of the electrochemical device. The enhanced electrode and the method for its processing may be used in any number of electrochemical devices, and is particularly well suited for electrodes in an electrolyzer useful for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Inventors:

Zappi, Guillermo Daniel; Zarnoch, Kenneth Paul; Huntley, Christian Andrew; Swalla, Dana Ray

Issue Date:

Tue Jun 02 00:00:00 EDT 2015

Research Org.:

General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1183448

Patent Number(s):

9045839

Application Number:

12/136,331

Assignee:

General Electric Company (Schenectady, NY)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25B - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25D - PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS

Show more

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25B - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS

C25B1/04 - by electrolysis of water
C25B11/00 - Electrodes
C25B15/00 - Operating or servicing of cells

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25D - PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS

C25D17/00 - Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells for electrolytic coating
C25D17/002 - {Cell separation, e.g. membranes, diaphragms}
C25D3/562 - {containing more than 50% by weight of iron or nickel or cobalt
C25D5/08 - Electroplating with moving electrolyte {, characterised by electrolyte flow}, e.g. jet electroplating {
C25D5/48 - After-treatment of electroplated surfaces

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/36 - Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources

Show less

DOE Contract Number:  

FC07-06ID14789

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION