Iridium-Tantalum coated titanium anode
Iridium-Tantalum Coated Titanium Anode: The Ultimate Oxygen-Evolution MMO Anode for Acidic & High-Current Applications
Key Highlights at a Glance
- Iridium-Tantalum coated titanium anode (Ir-Ta MMO / IrO₂-Ta₂O₅) is the world’s most durable oxygen-evolution anode, delivering 8–15 year service life in aggressive sulfuric acid, fluoride-bearing, or high-temperature electrolytes.
- Ultra-low oxygen overpotential (≤ 20–40 mV at 2–10 kA/m²), extremely low coating loss rate (<0.1 mg/A·year), and outstanding resistance to anodic dissolution even in 150 g/L H₂SO₄ at 60–80°C.
- Dominant choice for electrolytic copper foil, PCB through-hole plating, trivalent chromium plating, acid copper plating, and high-end cathodic protection in acidic soils.
- Ti Time Company – 15+ years of Ir-Ta MMO expertise in China’s Titanium Valley – supplies fully customized mesh, plate, tube, and 3D anodes with third-party accelerated life certification (>150,000 h equivalent).
Top 5 FAQs About Iridium-Tantalum Coated Titanium Anode
- Why is Ir-Ta coating considered the best oxygen-evolution anode? The IrO₂-Ta₂O₅ solid solution combines iridium’s superb OER catalytic activity with tantalum pentoxide’s exceptional chemical inertia. This synergy yields the lowest oxygen overpotential among all commercial MMO coatings while dramatically suppressing coating dissolution — proven wear rates are 5–10× lower than Ru-Ir or Pt-Ir in sulfuric acid.
- How long does an Iridium-Tantalum titanium anode last in electrolytic copper foil production? In typical 80–120 g/L H₂SO₄ + 50 ppm Cl⁻ copper electrolyte at 50–65°C and 8–15 kA/m², Ti Time’s latest nano Ir-Ta anodes achieve 12–15 years continuous operation with coating consumption <0.08 mg/A·year — verified in more than 30 copper foil lines in China and Korea.
- Is Ir-Ta anode suitable for trivalent chromium plating and other eco-friendly processes? Yes. Its extremely low oxygen evolution activity and resistance to organic additive oxidation make it the only MMO anode approved by leading Cr³⁺ process licensors (Atotech, Coventya). It eliminates hexavalent chromium generation and extends bath life 3–5× compared to lead-based anodes.
- Can the titanium substrate be recoated multiple times? Absolutely. After coating exhaustion, the titanium base remains dimensionally perfect. Ti Time’s professional stripping + re-coating service costs only 30–40% of a new anode, allowing 5–7 lifetime cycles (total economic life >60 years).
- What customization does Ti Time offer for Ir-Ta anodes? We tailor Ir:Ta ratio (typically 65:35 to 80:20), coating loading (8–25 g/m² precious metal), substrate form (mesh, expanded mesh, plate, tube, rod, basket), and surface patterning for copper foil, PCB, or cathodic protection applications — all backed by full SEM/EDS/XRD reports.
Iridium-Tantalum Coated Titanium Anode: The Gold Standard for Oxygen-Evolution & Acidic Electrolysis
— Expert Guide from Ti Time Company
When oxygen evolution dominates — electrolytic copper foil, acid copper plating, trivalent chromium plating, high-acid waste treatment, or precious metal recovery — nothing outperforms the Iridium-Tantalum coated titanium anode (Ir-Ta MMO / IrO₂-Ta₂O₅). Since its commercialization in the 1980s, this coating has become the undisputed leader wherever extreme acid resistance and long-term stability are non-negotiable.
The Science Behind Ir-Ta Superiority
The magic is in the amorphous-to-nanocrystalline IrO₂-Ta₂O₅ solid solution formed during multi-layer thermal decomposition at 450–550°C. Iridium dioxide provides outstanding OER activity, while tantalum pentoxide acts as a corrosion barrier that virtually eliminates anodic dissolution of iridium. The result:
- Oxygen overpotential: 20–40 mV at 2–10 kA/m²
- Coating wear rate: 0.03–0.10 mg/A·year (best-in-class)
- Service life: 8–15 years in 98% H₂SO₄, fluoride-bearing, or 200 g/L H₂SO₄ + Cu²⁺ electrolytes
- Stable cell voltage reduction of 150–300 mV vs. lead or Ru-Ir anodes
Ti Time’s 6th-generation nano-structured Ir-Ta coating (patented multi-step impregnation + vacuum annealing) pushes wear rates below 0.06 mg/A·year while reducing precious metal loading by 40–60% compared to traditional formulations.
Performance Comparison Table
| Parameter | Ti Time Ir-Ta MMO | Ru-Ir MMO | Lead Alloy | Pt-Ir (70/30) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Life (copper foil, 10 kA/m²) | 12–15 years | 3–5 years | 6–12 months | 4–7 years |
| Oxygen Overpotential (2 kA/m²) | 20–30 mV | 80–120 mV | N/A | 50–80 mV |
| Coating Wear Rate | ≤ 0.06 mg/A·year | 0.5–1.2 mg/A·year | N/A | 0.3–0.8 mg/A·year |
| Acid (H₂SO₄ 150 g/L, 65°C) Stability | Excellent | Moderate | Dissolves | Good |
| Precious Metal Loading (typical) | 12–18 g/m² | 20–30 g/m² | None | 25–40 g/m² |
Proven Global Applications
- Electrolytic Copper Foil (4.5–12 μm) – Over 40,000 m² supplied to Kingboard, LS Mtron, and Circuit Foil Luxembourg
- PCB Acid Copper & Direct Metallization – Through-hole & panel plating with zero anode sludge
- Trivalent Chromium Plating – Official anode for Atotech TriChrome® & Coventya TRILYTE® processes
- Precious & Rare Metal Recovery – Rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium electrowinning from spent catalysts
- High-Acid Wastewater & Electro-Fenton – Persulfate & hydroxyl radical generation
- Cathodic Protection in Acidic Soils – Deep-well and offshore platform ICCP
Ti Time Company – Your Iridium-Tantalum Anode Specialist
Located in Baoji “Titanium Valley”, Ti Time operates China’s most advanced Ir-Ta coating facility with 150,000 m² annual capacity and an in-house accelerated life test lab (ASTM B-765 / NACE TM0294). Every anode ships with:
- SEM/EDS/XRD coating analysis
- Accelerated life test certificate (>150,000 h)
- 10–15 year performance warranty
- Free recoating & substrate repurchase program
From 10-piece R&D orders to 100-ton copper foil projects, we deliver turnkey solutions including anode design, frame fabrication, and on-site commissioning.
Ready to cut energy costs and eliminate anode maintenance? Contact Ti Time today for a free technical consultation and quotation.
Contact: info@titimecn.com
Website: www.titime.com
