The process of electrolyzing water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis is commonly employed to produce hydrogen-enriched water. In the early years, electrolysis for producing hydrogen-enriched water gained popularity in Japan, South Korea, and other countries. Various products, such as hydrogen-enriched cups, hydrogen-enriched water machines, hydrogen ventilators, and beauty instruments, were introduced. China also witnessed the emergence of many merchants offering such products. Initially, hydrogen-enriched water products did not separate hydrogen and oxygen, resulting in relatively low hydrogen content. To enhance electrocatalytic activity, many companies utilized electrodes coated with a mixture of ruthenium and iridium-mixed oxide. However, with the advancement and adoption of DSA insoluble anode materials, titanium-platinized anodes have become increasingly prevalent in the electrolysis of hydrogen-enriched water. Consequently, some manufacturers have started producing hydrogen-enriched water cups with titanium-platinized electrodes, considering the titanium electrode as the crucial component responsible for the quality and performance of the hydrogen-enriched cup.
So, what role does the titanium electrode play in the hydrogen-enriched water cup?
Hydrogen-enriched water cups employ titanium platinum-plated electrodes. In recent years, a growing number of hydrogen-enriched water cups on the market feature platinum plating on titanium substrates, utilizing electrolysis and SPE (solid polymer electrolyte) technology to separate hydrogen and oxygen. When water requiring electrolysis enters the anode chamber of the tank and power is applied, the water immediately decomposes into four positively charged H ions and two negatively charged oxygen ions with a -2 valence. The negatively charged oxygen ions release electrons at the anode to form oxygen, which is then discharged from the anode, carrying a portion of the water into the sink. The positively charged hydrogen ions, in the form of hydrated ions, migrate through the ion membrane under the influence of the electric field force, reaching the cathode to absorb electrons and generate hydrogen gas. This hydrogen gas is discharged from the cathode chamber and mixes with the water, resulting in the production of hydrogen-enriched water.
By utilizing titanium-based platinum-plated electrodes, the issue of passivation on the titanium electrode surface, leading to the formation of an oxide layer, is overcome. This electrode configuration also addresses the problem of reduced reaction speed experienced by traditional electrodes over extended electrolysis periods. Moreover, it ensures the stability of hydrogen production content. Consequently, titanium-based platinum-plated electrodes are considered an ideal electrode material based on current technological advancements.
