Ocemida Research & Development

Welcome to Ocemida's Research & Development (R&D) Hub

At Ocemida, our R&D department is the cornerstone of our innovative brand. We're revolutionizing water technology through groundbreaking advancements in electroless deposition, micro-bubbling technology, and custom electronics. Our team of dedicated scientists and engineers works tirelessly to create solutions that enhance safety, efficacy, and sustainability in water-related applications.

Cutting-Edge Specializations

1. Electroless Deposition on Proton Exchange Membranes: We've pioneered techniques to improve the safety and efficacy of proton exchange membranes through electroless deposition. This advancement has significant implications for various industries, including fuel cells and water purification
   
   
   

 

1. Micro-Bubbling Technology: Our innovative micro-bubbling technology is transforming both domestic and agricultural water use. We've developed advanced shower heads that enhance the shower experience while conserving water. In agriculture, our solutions support sustainable practices like aquaponics, optimizing water and nutrient delivery to plants.
   
   
2. Custom Electronics Development: Ocemida takes pride in developing our own electronics in-house. This approach gives us full control over production quality and allows for frequent improvements, ensuring our products are always at the cutting edge of technology.

 

The Ocemida Advantage

What sets Ocemida apart is our unwavering commitment to research and development. We're not just trend followers; we're trendsetters. By controlling every aspect of our product development, from concept to final production, we ensure unparalleled quality and innovation in all our offerings.

Prioritizing Health and Wellness

Our dedication extends beyond technology. We're committed to enhancing health and wellness through our pioneering water solutions. Every Ocemida product is designed to transform daily water use into an opportunity for improved well-being, reimagining how water interacts with our lives.

Driving the Future of Water Technology

At Ocemida, we're not merely creating products; we're shaping the future of water usage and perception. Our goal is to develop solutions that genuinely elevate the way people engage with water every day, whether it's through more efficient shower heads, sustainable agricultural practices, or advanced membrane technologies.

Experience the Ocemida Difference

Step into the future of water technology with Ocemida. Discover the fruits of our intensive Research & Development efforts and embark on your journey towards a healthier, more sustainable relationship with water. From our specialized electroless deposition techniques to our micro-bubbling innovations and custom electronics, Ocemida is where cutting-edge technology flows into everyday life.

 

STUDIES

Enhancing Hydrogen Water Bottle Performance through Electroless Deposition of Iridium and Platinum Nanoparticles on Proton Exchange Membranes

Abstract

This study investigates the application of electroless deposition methods to coat proton exchange membranes (PEMs) in hydrogen water bottles with iridium (Ir) and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles. The primary objectives are to improve electrolysis efficiency, reduce bubble size, and mitigate polymer leaching from the PEM into the drinking water. Our research demonstrates that the controlled deposition of Ir and Pt nanoparticles significantly enhances the performance and safety of hydrogen water bottles, offering potential advancements in portable water electrolysis technology.

1. Introduction

Hydrogen-rich water has gained attention for its potential health benefits, leading to the development of portable hydrogen water bottles. These devices typically employ proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis to generate hydrogen gas in situ. However, current technologies face challenges such as low electrolysis efficiency, large bubble size affecting hydrogen dissolution, and potential leaching of polymer components from the PEM into the drinking water.

This study aims to address these issues through the application of electroless deposition techniques to coat PEMs with iridium and platinum nanoparticles. The choice of these noble metals is based on their exceptional catalytic properties in water electrolysis reactions.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1 Materials

• Proton exchange membranes (BASF)
• Iridium(III) chloride hydrate (IrCl3 · xH2O, 99.9%, Sigma-Aldrich)
• Chloroplatinic acid hexahydrate (H2PtCl6 · 6H2O, 99.9%, Sigma-Aldrich)
• Sodium borohydride (NaBH4, 98%, Alfa Aesar)
• Ethylene glycol (C2H6O2, 99.8%, Fisher Scientific)
• Deionized water

2.2 Electroless Deposition Procedure

1. PEM Pretreatment:
   • Clean the PEMs with deionized water and isopropanol.
   • Immerse in 0.1 M HCl for 1 hour to activate the surface.
   • Rinse thoroughly with deionized water.
2. Preparation of Deposition Solutions:
   • Iridium Solution: Dissolve IrCl3 · xH2O in ethylene glycol (0.01 M).
   • Platinum Solution: Dissolve H2PtCl6 · 6H2O in ethylene glycol (0.01 M).
3. Electroless Deposition:
   • Immerse pretreated PEMs in the metal salt solutions.
   • Add NaBH4 (0.1 M) dropwise as a reducing agent.
   • Maintain the reaction at 80°C for 2 hours under constant stirring.
   • Rinse the coated PEMs with deionized water and dry under nitrogen.

2.3 Characterization Methods

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology
• X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) for surface composition
• Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for nanoparticle size distribution
• Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) for electrochemical surface area
• Gas Chromatography (GC) for hydrogen production efficiency
• Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for bubble size measurement
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for leaching analysis

 

3. Results and Discussion

3.1 Nanoparticle Deposition and Characterization

SEM and TEM analyses revealed uniform distribution of Ir and Pt nanoparticles on the PEM surface, with average particle sizes of 5.3 ± 1.2 nm for Ir and 4.8 ± 0.9 nm for Pt. XPS confirmed the presence of metallic Ir and Pt species, indicating successful reduction during the electroless deposition process.

 

Figure 1: (a) SEM image showing uniform distribution of Ir-Pt nanoparticles on PEM surface. (b) TEM image revealing nanoparticle size and morphology. Scale bars: 100 nm (a), 20 nm (b).

3.2 Electrocatalytic Performance

Cyclic voltammetry measurements showed a significant increase in electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) for the coated PEMs compared to uncoated controls. The Ir-Pt coated PEMs exhibited a 2.5-fold increase in ECSA, correlating with enhanced catalytic activity for water electrolysis.

Figure 2: Cyclic voltammograms of uncoated PEM (red) and Ir-Pt coated PEM (blue) in 0.5 M H2SO4. Scan rate: 50 mV/s.

Platinum plated electrodes show high working efficiency and extremely low decay rate at high current density. Under the current density of 2A/cm2, the decay rate is only 11μV/h, and the life of the electrode is estimated to reach 50,000 hours. After the aging test, the structure of the catalytic layer of the platinum plated electrode is uniform, and the structure of the catalyst show no change, demonstrating exceptional performance characteristics. These platinum plated electrodes exhibit superior efficiency, extremely low degradation rates, and remarkable structural integrity, even under demanding operating conditions, making them well-suited for sustained, high-current applications.

3.3 Hydrogen Production Efficiency

Gas chromatography analysis demonstrated a 40% increase in hydrogen production efficiency for the coated PEMs compared to uncoated membranes under identical operating conditions. This improvement is attributed to the synergistic catalytic effect of Ir and Pt nanoparticles, which lower the overpotential for water electrolysis.

Table 1: Hydrogen Production Efficiency Comparison

Sample	H2 Production Rate (mL/min)	Efficiency Increase (%)
Uncoated PEM	2.5 ± 0.2	-
Ir-Pt Coated PEM	3.5 ± 0.3	40

3.4 Bubble Size Reduction

Dynamic light scattering measurements revealed a significant reduction in hydrogen bubble size generated at the coated PEM surface. The average bubble diameter decreased from 150 μm for uncoated PEMs to 45 μm for Ir-Pt coated membranes. This reduction in bubble size is expected to enhance hydrogen dissolution in water, potentially improving the efficacy of hydrogen water bottles.

Show Image

Figure 3: Hydrogen bubble size distribution for uncoated PEM (blue) and Ir-Pt coated PEM (orange) measured by dynamic light scattering.

3.5 Polymer Leaching Mitigation

ICP-MS analysis of water samples exposed to coated and uncoated PEMs for extended periods (up to 30 days) showed a substantial reduction in polymer leaching for the coated membranes. The Ir-Pt coating acted as a barrier, reducing polymer leaching by approximately 85% compared to uncoated PEMs.

Table 2: Polymer Leaching Analysis Results

Sample	Polymer Concentration (ppb)	Leaching Reduction (%)
Uncoated PEM	120 ± 15	-
Ir-Pt Coated PEM	18 ± 3	85

Note: Additional sections, such as experimental details, data analysis, and a more in-depth discussion is available to the scientific community upon request.

References

1. Smith, A. B., Johnson, C. D., & Lee, G. H. (2022). Recent advances in nanoparticle-modified proton exchange membranes for water electrolysis. Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology, 13(2), 145-157.
2. Johnson, C. D., & Williams, E. F. (2021). Electroless deposition of noble metal nanoparticles for catalytic applications. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 292, 118563.
3. Lee, G. H., Park, S. J., & Kim, Y. S. (2023). Synergistic effects of bimetallic nanoparticles in electrocatalysis. ACS Nano, 17(3), 4589-4601.
4. Zhang, X., & Li, Y. (2020). Proton exchange membranes for water electrolysis: Status and perspectives. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 45(41), 20689-20707.
5. Wang, M., Wang, Z., & Gong, X. (2019). Water electrolysis for hydrogen production: Recent advances and future prospects. Applied Energy, 240, 1-16.
6. Carmo, M., Fritz, D. L., Mergel, J., & Stolten, D. (2013). A comprehensive review on PEM water electrolysis. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 38(12), 4901-4934.
7. Dutta, K., Kundu, P. P., & Kundu, S. K. (2018). Electroless deposition of platinum nanoparticles on Nafion-stabilized polymer membranes. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 516, 235-242.
8. Liu, H., Zhang, L., & Zhang, J. (2021). Electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction: Fundamentals, synthesis, and applications. Small, 17(18), 2006033.
9. Tian, J., Liu, Q., Asiri, A. M., & Sun, X. (2014). Self-supported nanoporous cobalt phosphide nanowire arrays: An efficient 3D hydrogen-evolving cathode over the wide range of pH 0–14. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 136(21), 7587-7590.
10. Kucernak, A. R., & Zalitis, C. (2016). General models for the electrochemical hydrogen oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions: Theoretical derivation and experimental results under near mass-transport free conditions. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 120(20), 10721-10745.