Spraying Precious Metal Catalysts such as Platinum and Iridium
Ultrasonic Spraying Precious Metal Catalysts such as Platinum and Iridium – Cheersonic
In the fields of new energy, electrolyzed water, and fuel cells, uniformly loading precious metal catalysts such as platinum and iridium on the surface of proton exchange membranes (such as Nafion membranes) is one of the key processes that affect device performance and cost. In recent years, ultrasonic spraying technology has gradually become the core method of coating preparation due to its excellent uniformity, controllability, and material utilization.
The basic principle of ultrasonic spraying technology
Ultrasonic spraying equipment utilizes high-frequency sound wave energy to atomize catalytic slurry into micrometer sized uniform droplets, and accurately and controllably sprays them onto the surface of Nafion membrane substrate. Compared with traditional spraying or coating methods, this technology can effectively avoid sputtering, orange peel phenomenon or agglomeration problems, thereby achieving single-layer dispersion and extremely high consistency of nanoscale catalysts.
Outstanding technological advantages
1. Excellent uniformity and consistency:
Ultrasonic spraying can accurately control the droplet size and distribution density, ensuring that the catalyst forms an extremely thin and uniform coating on the membrane surface, significantly improving the performance of the catalytic active layer and reducing interfacial resistance.
2. Significant savings in precious metal materials:
Due to the controllable spraying process and good targeting, the usage of precious metals platinum and iridium can be effectively reduced, avoiding material waste, and is particularly suitable for large-scale production of high cost catalysts.
3. Suitable for various complex slurries:
Even for high solid content and high viscosity catalyst slurries, this technology can still maintain good atomization effect, avoid clogging the nozzle, and achieve continuous and stable operation.
4. Low temperature and low pressure process, without damaging the substrate:
The spraying process does not require high temperature or strong mechanical pressure, and will not cause thermal damage or deformation to sensitive polymer materials such as Nafion membranes, maintaining the integrity of the membrane structure.
5. Automation and high repeatability:
The device can be integrated with motion control systems to achieve the preparation of complex patterns and gradient coatings, with extremely high repeatability, suitable for large-scale continuous production.
Typical application scenarios
– Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC): used for catalytic layer coating in membrane electrode assembly (MEA) preparation;
– Electrolytic water hydrogen production device: used for spraying oxygen evolution (OER) and hydrogen evolution (HER) reaction catalysts;
– Carbon dioxide electroreduction system: loading molecular catalysts on the gas diffusion layer or membrane surface;
– Preparation of various sensors and special electrodes.
Ultrasonic spraying technology, as an advanced precision coating method, is particularly suitable for applications that require extremely high uniformity, material utilization, and process controllability. In terms of loading precious metal catalysts such as platinum and iridium on the surface of Nafion membrane, this technology significantly improves the overall performance of the device and effectively controls production costs, and has become one of the key processes in many high-end manufacturing and energy fields. With the continuous development of the new energy industry, ultrasonic spraying technology is expected to play a core role in the preparation of more advanced energy materials and devices.
About Cheersonic
Cheersonic is the leading developer and manufacturer of ultrasonic coating systems for applying precise, thin film coatings to protect, strengthen or smooth surfaces on parts and components for the microelectronics/electronics, alternative energy, medical and industrial markets, including specialized glass applications in construction and automotive.
Our coating solutions are environmentally-friendly, efficient and highly reliable, and enable dramatic reductions in overspray, savings in raw material, water and energy usage and provide improved process repeatability, transfer efficiency, high uniformity and reduced emissions.
Chinese Website: Cheersonic Provides Professional Coating Solutions
