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Volume 66, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 2056-5135
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  • oa Using Ultrasound to Effectively Homogenise Catalyst Inks: Is this Approach Still Acceptable?

    Recommendations on the use of ultrasound for mixing catalyst inks

  • Authors: Bruno G. Pollet1 and Shyam S. Kocha2
  • Affiliations: 1 Hydrogen Energy and Sonochemistry Research Group, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Faculty of EngineeringNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, TorgardenNorway 2 Principal Consultant, Fuel Cells & ElectrolyzersLas Vegas, NV 89128USA
  • Source: Johnson Matthey Technology Review, Volume 66, Issue 1, Jan 2022, p. 61 - 76
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1595/205651321X16196162869695
    • Received: 05 Mar 2021
    • Accepted: 28 Apr 2021
    • Published online: 28 Apr 2021

Abstract

Since the early 2010s, less than a handful of studies have been communicated to the hydrogen and fuel cell communities that special care should be adopted, and a systematic approach should be applied, when homogenising catalyst ink slurries using ultrasound in the form of either a laboratory-grade ultrasonic cleaning bath, or an ultrasonic probe (sonifier). In these studies, it was demonstrated that the use of power ultrasound for the homogenisation of catalyst inks can be detrimental if not used appropriately. Unfortunately, and to this day, literature still indicates that ultrasound is still used for the homogenisation of fuel cell and electrolyser catalyst ink slurries and little or even no experimental conditions are given. To what extent is this approach acceptable? This short review paper discusses the importance of using ultrasound adequately to avoid catalyst dissolution and ionomer degradation induced by acoustic cavitation as well as metallic contamination originating from the ultrasonic probe. It also sheds some light on the important aspects and effects of power ultrasound in liquids and surfaces and presents some recommendations on how to use ultrasound adequately for mixing catalyst ink formulations.

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2021-04-28
2024-12-21
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Using Ultrasound to Effectively Homogenise Catalyst Inks: Is this Approach Still Acceptable?
Johnson Matthey Technology Review 66, 61 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1595/205651321X16196162869695
/content/journals/10.1595/205651321X16196162869695
/content/journals/10.1595/205651321X16196162869695
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