Effect of pore generator on microstructure and resistivity of Sb(2)O(3)and CuO doped SnO(2)electrodes

Abstract

Sb2O3 and CuO doped SnO2 ceramic electrodes could be an alternative to the ones currently used ones in the electrooxidation process of water pollutants. The rise of electrode surface by introducing a porogen agent on the composition was analysed in order to increase the electrochemical active surface. For this reason, several substances were tested. Although the densification and total pore volume had similar values, the microstructures and the pore size distributions generated were strongly dependent on porogen nature. A total of five porogens were tested, but petroleum coke turned out to be the best option for these electrodes. It was found that the electrical resistivity depends on the nature of pore generator. Furthermore, its relation to the porosity can be modelled with Archie’s or Pabst’s equations.