The effect of Ni and Sb Oxide precursors, and of Ni composition, synthesis conditions and operating parameters on the activity, selectivity and durability of Sb-doped SnO2 anodes modified with Ni

Abstract

This paper reports the effect of employing Ni & Sb oxide precursors ( instead of chlorides) in the preparation of Ni/Sb-SnO2 anodes on the activity and selectivity of ozone production in 1.0M HClO4. The effect of catalyst loading, Ni content in the precursor solution, furnace temperature and constant current density vs constant cell voltage operation is reported. The optimum composition was found to be Sn: Sb: Ni = 100: 6: 1, giving a maximum current efficiency of ca. 38% at a current density of 100 mA cm(-2), the latter higher than previously reported. The durability of anodes prepared using NiO and Sb2O3 at 550 degrees C during electrolysis at 100 mA cm(-2) in 1M HClO4 was found to be 200 hours, again significantly higher than Ni/Sb-SnO2 anodes prepared using the chloride precursors at lower temperatures.