Molybdenum rods in the new energy industry
Due to its high melting point of 2620 ℃, extremely low thermal expansion coefficient, excellent electrical conductivity/thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance, molybdenum rods have become the "high-temperature framework" in the new energy industry chain such as photovoltaics, energy storage, and hydrogen energy. From single-crystal silicon growth furnaces to PEM electrolysis cells, molybdenum rods provide key support for the integration of structure and function under extreme conditions, promoting the iterative advancement of new energy technologies towards higher efficiency and longer lifespan.
In the photovoltaic field, molybdenum rods first serve as the heating framework of the CZ single crystal furnace: in the 1600 - 1700 ℃ molten silicon environment, the high-purity molybdenum neither softens nor contaminates the silicon material, ensuring the dimensional stability of the 210 mm large-sized silicon wafers during the pulling process; at the same time, the molybdenum back electrode formed by sputtering serves as a high-temperature-resistant support and electrode for the CIGS thin film battery, pushing the conversion efficiency to over 22%, and acts as a high-temperature-resistant support and electrode in the corrosive atmosphere of PECVD and ion implantation equipment.
At the energy storage end, the value of molybdenum rods extends to the "microscopic" level: High-purity molybdenum powder can be used to produce MoS2, MoO3, etc., which are negative electrodes or current collectors for lithium/sodium ion batteries, significantly improving the cycle and rate performance; in the sintering process of solid-state batteries, the molybdenum rods act as electrolyte supports and do not react with lithium; in addition, MoO3 is also used as a high specific capacitance electrode in supercapacitors to achieve rapid charging and discharging for energy recovery during vehicle braking in new energy vehicles.
In the hydrogen energy industry chain, molybdenum rods continue to exhibit the dual advantages of "corrosion resistance + conductivity": In acidic PEM electrolyzers, they are processed into molybdenum-nickel hydrogen evolution catalyst carriers, with an electrolysis efficiency of over 75% and a lifespan far exceeding that of stainless steel; in high-temperature SOEC electrolyzers, they act as connectors or seals at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1000 ℃, resisting extreme corrosion and thermal shock, providing key material support for green hydrogen production.
With the acceleration of global investment in new energy, the annual growth rate of high-purity molybdenum rods (≥ 99.99% Mo) has exceeded 8%; next, large-sized photovoltaic molybdenum rods need to break through the high-temperature anti-rust limit, while the hydrogen energy field aims to replace precious metals with low-cost molybdenum-based catalysts. In the future, molybdenum rods will also undertake the responsibility of resisting liquid metal corrosion and neutron irradiation in the fourth-generation nuclear energy (molten salt reactors, fast reactors), continuously expanding their strategic boundaries in the emerging energy system.
Mosten Alloy can produce molybdenum sheet, molybdenum block, molybdenum foil, molybdenum rod, molybdenum wire, molybdenum processing workpiece according to customer demand.
