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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Plated metals for hydrogen generators

I found your site while researching materials for cathodes/electrodes in a hydrogen generator (separating the molecules in water to create hydrogen gas as an alternative energy source). The current methods and inventors seem to agree on plain 316L Stainless Steel.

My question is this; in the metal finishing process world, can anyone offer a specific type of metal or combination of metal plate/coating that will endure longer than the stainless without needing to rob a bank to pay for it? It must be able to conduct 12VDC @ 20+ amps in water with a 20% KOH (potassium hydroxide). If there is a finishing process and material that would increase the surface area of the metal plate, that would be an ever greater benefit.

Thank you.

Mark Hansen
Lincoln, NE

Mark Hansen
product designer - Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
February 11, 2011

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Platinized titanium mesh is what you may be looking for.
G. Marrufo-mexico

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
February 15, 2011

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My experience with routine maintenance on large electrode plates used to generate hydrogen for hydrogenation in margarine production was that the cathode plates were never corroded by hydrogen.
However the anodes were severely corroded as the "atomic" oxygen as evolved in the process is highly corrosive even in an alkaline electrolyte.
The plates were DULL nickel plated as they require to be sulfur free.
A larger area was achieved by welding a perforated plate over a solid plate. Expanded metal is an alternative.

Platinized titanium has it's uses where chlorine is electrolytically generated.

Raymond Sebba
- Oceanside, California, USA
March 2, 2011

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March 12, 2011

A Nickel Electroplated Steel anode may also perform very well as a Cathode for Electrolytic Hydrogen manufacturing.

Gabriel Schonwald
Bnei Berak, Israel