Finely divided RuO2 /plastic matrix

Abstract

Finely divided RuO 2 serves as an efficient and long-lived electrocatalyst when dispersed in a polymer matrix chemically and mechanically inert to an electrolyte. When applied to a substrate, generally an electrically conductive substrate, an electrode, particularly suited for use as an anode at which oxygen is evolved, is obtained. A coating of polyvinylidene fluoride containing RuO 2 having a particle size of less than 0.1 micron on a titanium substrate is exemplary.

I claim: 
     
       1. A coating for use in electrolytic applications which coating consists essentially of a solidified intimate mixture of a substantially chemically and mechanically inert organic polymer and a RuO 2  electrocatalyst having a particle size of less than 0.1 micron. 
     
     
       2. An electrode for use in electrolytic processes which electrode consists essentially of a supporting substrate having a coating on at least a portion of the surface thereof which coating consists essentially of a solidified intimate mixture of a substantially chemically and mechanically inert organic polymer and a RuO 2  electrocatalyst having a particle size of less than 0.1 micron. 
     
     
       3. An electrode as in claim 2 wherein the organic polymer is a fluorocarbon polymer. 
     
     
       4. An electrode as in claim 3 wherein the fluorocarbon polymer is polyvinylidene fluoride. 
     
     
       5. An electrode as in claim 2 wherein the weight ratio of RuO 2  :polymer is 6-1:1. 
     
     
       6. An electrode for use in electrolytic processes which electrode consists essentially of an electrically conductive supporting substrate having a coating on at least a portion of the surface thereof which coating consists essentially of a solidified intimate mixture of a substantially chemically and mechanically inert organic polymer and a RuO 2  electrocatalyst having a particle size of less than 0.1 micron. 
     
     
       7. An electrode as in claim 6 wherein the electrically conductive substrate is selected from the group consisting of nickel, steel, titanium, tantalum, zirconium, niobium, lead, lead-antimony alloys and lead-thallium alloys. 
     
     
       8. An anode for use in electrolytic processes wherein oxygen is generated as the anode, which anode consists essentially of, a. a supporting substrate selected from the group consisting of nickel, steel, titanium, tantalum, zirconium, niobium, lead, lead-antimony alloys and lead-thallium alloys, and   b. a coating consisting essentially of a solidified intimate mixture of a fluorocarbon polymer and a RuO 2  electrocatalyst having a particle size of less than 0.1 micron, the weight ratio of RuO 2  :polymer being from 6-1:1.   
     
     
       9. An anode as in claim 8 wherein the polymer is polyvinylidene fluoride. .Iadd. 10. An electrocatalytic material consisting essentially of a solidified intimate mixture of a substantially chemically and mechanically inert organic polymer and an electrocatalyst of finely divided RuO 2  having a particle size of less than 0.5 microns. .Iaddend..Iadd. 11. An electrocatalytic material consisting essentially of a solidified intimate mixture of a substantially chemically and mechanically inert organic polymer and an electrocatalyst of RuO 2  having a particle size of approximately 0.1 to approximately 0.5 microns. .Iaddend.