Journal Article

Activity and Operational Loss of IrO2-Ta2O5/Ti Anodes During Oxygen Evolution in Acidic Solutions

Stevanović, Maja, Panić, Vladimir, Bošnjaković, Jovana, Šekularac, Gavrilo, Stevanović, Jasmina, Tadić, Vojin M., Mihailović, Marija

2025

Overview

The oxygen-evolving IrO2-Ta2O5/Ti anode (OEA), primarily used in electrolyzers for plating, metal powder production, electrowinning (EW), and water electrolysis, is analyzed. This study focuses on the distribution of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and the associated operational loss over the randomized OEA texture. The OER activity and its distribution across the IrO2-Ta2O5 coating surface are key factors that influence EW operational challenges and the lifecycle of OEA in EW processes. To understand the OER activity distribution over the coating’s randomized texture, we performed analyses using anode polarization in acid solution at both low and high (EW operation relevant) overpotentials and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) during the OER. These measurements were conducted on anodes in both their as-prepared and deactivated states. The as-prepared anode was deactivated using an accelerated stability test in an acid solution, the EW simulating electrolyte. The obtained data are correlated with fundamental electrochemical properties of OEA, such as structure-related pseudocapacitive responses at open circuit potential in the same operating environment. OER and Ir dissolution kinetics, along with the physicochemical anode state upon deactivation, are clearly characterized based on current and potential dependent charge transfer resistances and associated double layer capacitances obtained by EIS. This approach presents a useful tool for elucidating, and consequently tailoring and predicting, anode OER activity and electrolytic operational stability in industrial electrochemical applications.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Accelerated tests / anode coatings / anode lifetime / Anodes / Anodic polarization / Charge transfer / deactivated anode / Deactivation / Electrochemical analysis / Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy / Electrode polarization / Electrodes / Electrolysis / IrO2-based anodes / Metal oxides / Metal powders / OER catalysts / Open circuit voltage / Oxygen evolution reactions / Software / Spectrum analysis / Stability tests / Tantalum / Tantalum oxides / Texture / transition metal oxides