Preparation and electrochemical properties of Al-based composite coating electrode with Ti4O7 ceramic interlayer for electrowinning of nonferrous metals

Electrode materials with an Al-based coating and a Ti 4 O 7 ceramic interlayer were prepared by plasma spraying to obtain improved electrochemical properties . RuO 2 –TiO 2 coatings doped with Sn, Ta and Ir, or La were prepared by thermal decomposition. The results indicate that good bonding between Al and Ti 4 O 7 was obtained by plasma spraying . The dopants affected the electrochemical performance by changing the surface morphology of the active coatings. The addition of Sn not only improved the electrocatalytic activity in the chlorine evolution reaction but also inhibited the electrocatalytic activity in the oxygen evolution reaction . The electric potential distribution on the surface of the electrode materials with an Al-based coating and a Ti 4 O 7 ceramic interlayer was more uniform than that of a Ti/RuO 2 –TiO 2 anode. The results of electrowinning tests revealed that an Al/Ti 4 O 7 /RuO 2 –TiO 2 –SnO 2 anode exhibited the best anodic performance with lower energy consumption, a longer accelerated lifetime, more deposition of Co as a product, and greater efficiency.