• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.105-119
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• 2023

The electrochemical chlorine evolution reaction (CER) is an important electrochemical reaction and has been widely used in chlor-alkali electrolysis, on-site generation of ClO^-, and Cl₂-mediated electrosynthesis. Although precious metal-based mixed metal oxides (MMOs) have been used as CER catalysts for more than half a century, they intrinsically suffer from a selectivity problem between the CER and parasitic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Hence, the design of selective CER electrocatalysts is critically important. In this review, we provide an overview of the fundamental issues related to the electrocatalysis of the CER and design strategies for selective CER electrocatalysts. We present experimental and theoretical methods for assessing the active sites of MMO catalysts and the origin of the scaling relationship between the CER and the OER. We discuss kinetic analysis methods to understand the kinetics and mechanisms of CER. Next, we summarize the design strategies for new CER electrocatalysts that can enhance the reactivity of MMO-based catalysts and overcome their scaling relationship, which include the doping of MMO catalysts with foreign metals and the development of non-precious metal-based catalysts and atomically dispersed metal catalysts.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.531-539
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• 2015

Chlor-alkali industry is one of the largest electrochemical processes which annually producing 70 million tons of sodium hydroxide and chlorine from sodium chloride solution. $DSA^{(R)}$ (Dimensionally Stable Anodes) electrodes such as $RuO_2$ and $IrO_2$, which is popular in chlor-alkali process, have been investigated to improve the chlorine generation efficiency. Although DSA electrode has been developed with various researches, understanding of the chlorine evolution mechanism is essential to the development of highly efficient DSA electrode. In this review paper, chlorine generation mechanisms are summarized and that of key factors are identified to systematically understand the chlorine generation mechanism. Rate determining step, effect of pH, reaction intermediate, and electrode crystal structure were intensively overviewed as key factors of the chlorine mechanism.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.325-330
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• 2024

When seawater is used in electrochemical devices, issues arise such as the adsorption of chloride ions blocking the active sites for Oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in seawater batteries, and the occurrence of Chlorine evolution reactions (ClER) in seawater electrolysis due to chloride anions (Cl^-) competing with OH^- for catalytic active sites, potentially slowing down Oxygen evolution reactions (OER). Consequently, the performance of components used in seawater battery and seawater electrolysis may deteriorate. Therefore, conventional alloys are often used by coating or plating methods to minimize corrosion, albeit at the cost of reducing electrical conductivity. This study thus designed a corrosion-resistant layer by doping carbon with Nitrogen (N) and Sulfur (S) to maintain electrical conductivity while preventing corrosion. Optimal N,S doping ratios were developed, with corrosion experiments confirming that N,S (10:90) carbon exhibited the best corrosion resistance performance.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2018

Not only efficiency of chlorine evolution reaction (CER) but also durability namely service life is very important property in dimensional stable anode for Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) for marine ships. Many researchers have been focused on improving efficiency of CER by controlling composition, phase and surface area for a long time, but the efforts to increase durability was relatively small. In this study, we have investigated the effect of $TiO_2$ protective interlayers on efficiency and durability of DSA electrodes. $TiO_2$ protective interlayers were prepared by thermal oxidation at 500, 600 and $700^{\circ}C$ on Ti substrate. And then the DSA electrodes consisting of $Ti/RuO_2-PdO-TiO_2$ were prepared by thermal decomposition method on $TiO_2$ interlayers. The efficiencies of CER of DSA electrodes without $TiO_2$ interlayer and with $TiO_2$ interlayer grown at 500, 600 and $700^{\circ}C$ were 94.19, 94.45, 84.60 and 76.75% respectively. On the otherhand, durabilities were 30, 55, 90 and 65 hours respectively. In terms of industrial aspect, the performance of DSA is considered high efficiency and durability which can correspond to total production of chlorine. If we considered the performance index of DSA as the product of efficiency and durability, performance indices could be recalculated as 28.26, 50.85, 76.14 and 49.89 respectively. As the thermal oxidation temperature increasing, life time were increased remarkerbly, while efficiency of CER was decreased slightly. As a result, DSA electrode with $TiO_2$ interlayer grown at $600^{\circ}C$ has shown about 2.7 times performace of original DSA electrode without $TiO_2$ interlayer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.99.1-99.1
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• 2017

$TiO_2$는 기계적, 화학적 안정성이 높아 가혹한 화학적 환경 또는 고온 운전 조건에서 훌륭한 내구성을 보여주어 산업적으로 일찍이 널리 이용되어 왔다. 예를 들어, 염소발생 (chlorine evolution reaction) 또는 산소발생반응은 (oxygen evolution reaction) 염소 또는 산소 라디칼에 전극이 지속적으로 노출되기에 강한 내부식성을 지닌 전극재가 요구되었고, 그 결과 $TiO_2$를 골조로 한 불용성전극 (dimensionally stable anode)이 개발되어 이용되고 있다. 그러나, $TiO_2$는 절연성이 높은 금속 산화물 재료이기 때문에 넓은 표면적 획득 및 촉매제 사용을 통해 소재의 단점을 극복해야만 한다. 넓은 반응 표면적 획득의 한 방법으로써 전기화학적 양극산화 (electrochemical anodization)를 통한 $TiO_2$ 나노튜브 제조법은 경제적이면서도 구조 제어도 간편한 방법이다. $TiO_2$ 나노튜브는 100nm 전후의 기공 크기를 가짐과 동시에 매우 높은 종횡비를 지니고 있어 넓은 반응 표면적 획득에 특히 유리하다. 그러나, 이 높은 종횡비는 촉매 도입을 어렵게 하는 저해요소가 되기도 한다. 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위하여 다양한 방법들이 연구되었으나 대부분이 번거롭거나 비싼 후단공정을 필요로 한다. 본 연구에서는 $TiO_2$ 나노튜브에 촉매를 도핑하기 위한 간단한 전기화학적 방법으로, 단일공정 양극산화법 (single-step anodization)과 전압충격법 (potential shock), 그리고 저전압충격법 (under potential shock)을 연구하였으며 이에 적용 가능한 촉매제의 종류를 소개한다. 또한, 촉매의 성질에 따른 응용분야와 그 성능평가 결과를 제시한다.