Iridium catalyst

Iridium catalyst is the main catalyst material for high-performance chlorine evolution anodes and PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production anodes in the chlor alkali industry. It is irreplaceable in strong acid, strong oxidation, and high temperature/high potential environments. The most widely circulated iridium catalyst brands in the global iridium catalyst recycling market are Heraeus, Johnson Matthey, Umicore, Tanaka Precious Metals, and BASF.

Iridium catalysts are mainly used in industrial fields

1. In the chlor alkali industry, chlorine anode is the most widely used place for iridium. The stability of iridium and the lower oxygen content in chlorine are key factors in producing high-purity chlorine gas, reducing energy consumption, and improving the operating efficiency of electrolytic cells.

2. Iridium catalysts are used for specific high-temperature and oxidation reactions in chemical catalysis, such as the early BASF high-pressure process (which has been replaced by the more efficient rhodium based Monsanto process).

3. Iridium catalysts have shown significant growth in the field of hydrogen production through electrolysis of water. In acidic PEM electrolysis cells, oxygen evolution reactions occur at the anode. Iridium catalyst is a catalyst material that can operate stably for a long time in strong acidity, strong oxidation, and high potential on an industrial scale.

Main iridium catalyst brands

Heraeus is one of the main suppliers of iridium tantalum anode coatings and PEM electrolytic iridium catalysts for the chlor alkali industry;

Johnson Matthey has strong expertise in precious metal catalysts and coating technology, providing iridium based catalysts for chlor alkali and PEM electrolysis;

Umicore is an important supplier of iridium metal and catalysts;

BASF's catalyst division is involved in the field of energy catalysis and is an important developer and supplier of PEM electrolysis cell catalysts.