Grant: Idea to Innovation
Institut national de la recherche scientifique
$122,362.00
Use of Cold spray deposition for the preparation of electrocatalytic coatings for the electrolysis of sodium
FY 2010-11
Summary
We showed that Ti-Ru-Fe-O nanocrystalline powder is an excellent electrocatalytic material to promote the hydrogen evolution reaction which is the complementary and limiting electrode reaction occurring during the electrolysis of the brine solution that yields to the synthesis of sodium chlorate. The electrolysis of sodium chlorate is an energy intensive electrolytic process and the use of Ti-Ru-Fe-O nanocrystalline powder causes a 10% reduction of the cell potential that translates into 10% energy saving per ton of sodium chlorate produced. Therefore, considerable energy and cost savings could be gained by identifying a deposition method to prepare electrocatalytic coating from this powder. It is proposed to investigate the use of cold spray deposition as a means to prepare adherent electrocatalytic coating of Ti-Ru-Fe-O nanocrystalline powder on suitable substrates. Three objectives will be pursued, namely (i) to demonstrate the feasibility of using cold spray deposition to prepare coatings from Ti-Ru-Fe-O nanocrystalline powder, (ii) to show that active coatings for the hydrogen evolution reaction in chlorate electrolysis conditions can be prepared, and iii) to evaluate the long-term stability of these coatings. An assessment of the technological competition and market potential for metallic powder coatings in the electrolysis of sodium chlorate was undertaken and seven major manufacturing plants of sodium chlorate, one developer of electrolysis production lines for sodium chlorate and three manufacturers of electrodes for industrial electrolysis were contacted. There are presently no commercial coated cathodes being sold on the market for the production of sodium chlorate and the market is wide open for the technology we want to develop. More importantly, the report confirms that the nanocrystalline material and coating technology generates an interest for potential industrial use. Senior executives of major players in the field of sodium chlorate (developer of electrolysis production lines and sodium chlorate manufacturing plants) have expressed the desire to discuss and work with INRS/IMI for possible R&D partnership, technology licensing, and feasibility studies.
Program
Idea to Innovation
Location
Quebec, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
403439-2010
Name nom
Guay, Daniel
Department département
Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications (ÉMT) Varennes
Organization id
56
Institution établissement
Institut national de la recherche scientifique
Province en
Québec
Province fr
Québec
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2010
Competition year année de concours
2010
Award amount
122362
Program id
I2IPJ
Program name en
Idea to Innovation
Program name fr
De l'idée à l'innovation
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
306
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy efficiency
Area of application fr
Efficacité énergétique
Research subject code
2000
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Materials science and technology
Research subject fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Use of Cold spray deposition for the preparation of electrocatalytic coatings for the electrolysis of sodium
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
We showed that Ti-Ru-Fe-O nanocrystalline powder is an excellent electrocatalytic material to promote the hydrogen evolution reaction which is the complementary and limiting electrode reaction occurring during the electrolysis of the brine solution that yields to the synthesis of sodium chlorate. The electrolysis of sodium chlorate is an energy intensive electrolytic process and the use of Ti-Ru-Fe-O nanocrystalline powder causes a 10% reduction of the cell potential that translates into 10% energy saving per ton of sodium chlorate produced. Therefore, considerable energy and cost savings could be gained by identifying a deposition method to prepare electrocatalytic coating from this powder. It is proposed to investigate the use of cold spray deposition as a means to prepare adherent electrocatalytic coating of Ti-Ru-Fe-O nanocrystalline powder on suitable substrates. Three objectives will be pursued, namely (i) to demonstrate the feasibility of using cold spray deposition to prepare coatings from Ti-Ru-Fe-O nanocrystalline powder, (ii) to show that active coatings for the hydrogen evolution reaction in chlorate electrolysis conditions can be prepared, and iii) to evaluate the long-term stability of these coatings. An assessment of the technological competition and market potential for metallic powder coatings in the electrolysis of sodium chlorate was undertaken and seven major manufacturing plants of sodium chlorate, one developer of electrolysis production lines for sodium chlorate and three manufacturers of electrodes for industrial electrolysis were contacted. There are presently no commercial coated cathodes being sold on the market for the production of sodium chlorate and the market is wide open for the technology we want to develop. More importantly, the report confirms that the nanocrystalline material and coating technology generates an interest for potential industrial use. Senior executives of major players in the field of sodium chlorate (developer of electrolysis production lines and sodium chlorate manufacturing plants) have expressed the desire to discuss and work with INRS/IMI for possible R&D partnership, technology licensing, and feasibility studies.
