Applications Of Metal Foam In Catalysis And Electrolysis

Authors:

Gunnar Walther (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Branch Lab Dresden, Germany),
Tilo Büttner (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Branch Lab Dresden, Germany),
Christian Imanuel Bernäcker (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Branch Lab Dresden, Germany),
Lars Röntzsch (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Branch Lab Dresden, Germany),
Thomas Weißgärber (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Branch Lab Dresden, Germany),
JungSuk Bae (Alantum Corporation, Korea, Republic of),
Lars Torkuhl (Alantum Europe GmbH, Germany),
Andreas Tillmann (Alantum Europe GmbH, Germany)

Abstract:

Open cell metallic foams are suitable for a wide range of applications as materials for filters, catalyst supports for heterogeneous catalysis and electrodes in batteries, fuel cells and electrolyzers due to their excellent heat and mass transfer, low pressure drop, good electrical conductivity and high chemical resistance. The foam can be produced in a wide range of pure metals like nickel, iron, silver and copper. Depending on the application, high high-temperature, oxidation and corrosion resistance can be achieved by a patented powder metallurgical alloying process in industrial scale.In the current paper, results for applications of NiFeCrAl foam as catalyst for Steam Methane Reforming and silver foam for the formaldehyde synthesis are discussed. Another focus is on the application as electrode material in electrolysis. Electrochemical investigations show that modified nickel foam exhibit a much lower overvoltage than nickel sheets and thus the operating costs of electrolyzers can be significantly reduced.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59499/WP225371743