Effect of DSA electrode (A304|RuO2) on the electrochemical production of H2(g)

An electrochemical study was conducted to evaluate the behaviour of modified electrodes of the DSA type (dimensionally stable anodes) with the purpose of determining its viability to produce hydrogen (H-2(g)) through the catalytic electrolysis of water. The DSA electrodes were manufactured with a sheet of A304 stainless steel or Ti as the substrate, applying a coating of RuO2 by the modified Pechini method. Also, different types of materials were tested as cathodes, including plates of titanium (Ti), silver (Ag), stainless steels A304 and A316, graphite rods (GR), glassy carbon (VC) and platinum (Pt). The results showed that the use of A304 vertical bar RuO2 and Ti vertical bar RuO2 DSA electrodes allowed lower cathodic potentials (<= 1.0 V) for the start of the water reduction reaction to produce H-2(g). The best arrangement and electrode material for the catalytic production of H-2(g) was a DSA electrode of A304 vertical bar RuO2 and A304 stainless steel plate as the cathode, which was even better than platinum, showing a high stability to modify their surface and structure. In conclusion, the use of a A304 stainless steel plate as a substrate instead of titanium to prepare DSA electrodes of A304/RuO2 for the catalytic production of H-2(g) is viable and inexpensive.