PLATINIZED-TITANIUM ELECTRODES FOR UREA OXIDATION .1. DEMONSTRATION OF EFFICACY

Electrodes that are highly electrocatalytically active for urea oxidation were made by Platinum electrodeposition onto minimally pretreated titanium surfaces. The Pt deposition from chloroplatinic acid required approximately sixteen times the stoichiometric charge requirement. Selected electrodes were evaluated for urea oxidation activity by a cyclic voltammetry method. A maximum in Pt utilization for urea oxidation was observed at a Pt loading of approximately 1g/100 g Ti. The platinized Ti surfaces were as much as 1900 times more active for urea oxidation than smooth Pt surfaces on a per unit mass of Pt basis. Extrapolation of these results to clinical scale dialysate regeneration systems indicates that about 5 g Pt will be required for a clinical-scale deureation reactor.