Electrochemical production of finely divided metal oxides, metal hydroxides and metals
AssigneeElectromedia, Inc.
InventorFrank Solomon
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Abstract
In a method of production of finely divided metal oxides, metal hydroxides and metals, current is passed between an anode of a selected metal and an air electrode acting as the cathode in a cell containing a weakly alkaline electrolyte. The anion of the electrolyte is such that it does not form an insoluble salt with the metal of the anode. Metal ions issuing from the metal anode make contact with hydroxyl ions in the solution and form finely divided oxides or hydroxides. The oxides or hydroxides are removed and chemically reduced to finely divided metal particles. The voltage necessary for carrying out the oxidation of the metal to metal ions is reduced through the use of an air electrode as cathode, thereby reducing the cost of the process.
Claims12
An electrochemical method of manufacturing metal oxide and metal hydroxide particles in the size range from 0.5 .mu. to 10 .mu., comprising the step of passing direct current in a cell between an anode of a selected metal and an air cathode, said anode and cathode being immersed in a weakly alkaline electrolyte, said electrolyte being free of anions which can form insoluble salts with ions of said selected metal, said metal being such that on conversion to ionic form by passage of said current it forms an insoluble particulate oxide or insoluble particulate hydroxide on contact with hydroxyl ion.
An electrochemical method of manufacturing metal oxide and metal hydroxide particles in the size range from 0.5 .mu. to 10 .mu., comprising the step of passing direct current in a cell between an anode of a selected metal and an air cathode, said anode being immersed in a weakly alkaline first electrolyte, said first electrolyte being free of anions which can form insoluble salts with ions of said selected metal, said metal being such that on conversion to ionic form by passage of said current it forms an insoluble particulate oxide or insoluble particulate hydroxide on contact with hydroxyl ions, said air electrode being immersed in a second electrolyte connected with said first electrolyte for ionic transport therebetween through a separation means permeable to the ions in said electrolytes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.