New Composite Boron Doped Diamond Coatings for Electrochemcial Oxidation Navy SBIR FY2008.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.2 Topic No.: N08-113 Topic Title: New Composite Boron Doped Diamond Coatings for Electrochemcial Oxidation Proposal No.: N082-113-0641 Firm: Eltron Research & Development, Inc. 4600 Nautilus Court South Boulder, Colorado 80301-3241 Contact: Jesse Taylor Phone: (303) 530-0263 Web Site: www.eltronresearch.com Abstract: This project will result in new, composite boron doped diamond (BDD) coatings for inexpensive metal substrates that will provide superior electrodes with improved water purification properties as well as excellent adherence and corrosion-resistance. Eltron's composite BDD coatings contain no organic binders or materials that will be susceptible to attack by the extremely powerful reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by a salt-free electrochemical (EC) oxidation. The coatings cure at low temperatures, eliminating the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch problems seen between other BDD coatings and substrates. In other applications, the coatings have shown conductivity that can be precisely tuned for specific applications. In addition, the coatings have been shown to be extremely adherent to metal, ceramic, and plastic substrates, providing good contact and a rugged electrode. The use of BDD coated electrodes will enable a salt-free EC oxidation process that reduces consumables and improves stability and ruggedness. The BDD coatings will allow sturdy electrodes and easy electrical connection to the EC system in a rugged way, suitable for military field use. Benefits: The development of a rugged, "salt-free" electrochemical (EC) purification device capable of operating in battlefield environments will be a significant improvement over current EC technologies. The use of highly conducting BDD offers a number of advantages in an EC water purification device including reduced cost, longer lifetime and reduced consumables (generates OH radicals in a salt-free process). However, BDD electrodes have disadvantages including coefficient of thermal expansion mismatches between BDD coatings and substrates, which leads to cracking and corrosion. Also, standalone BDD plate electrodes will not have the structural integrity to withstand the use and abuse of a battlefield-capable device. Eltron's composite BDD coatings will provide superior water purification properties as well as excellent adherence and corrosion-resistance, leading to improved lifetime. Over a billion people in the world lack clean drinking water. In the U.S., water and air treatment systems are a $1.3 billion market that will grow 4.7 percent through 2010. Return