Use of underpotential deposited layers of metals on foreign metal substrates as catalysts for electrolytic cells
US4457986A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Fuel cell catalysts which are efficient, long-lived, and refurbishable in-situ include gold carrying a UPD deposit of another element. UPD Ag, Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh or Tl, Pb and Bi on Au crystallites are carried on and bonded to another substrate. The crystallites cause dissociative adsorption of the oxygen molecules so that four electrons are produced per molecule during the reduction reaction which is involved. In an alkaline electrolyte, the catalyst metals such as Pd, Ir, Ag, Rh and Pt show no tendency to poison the counter electrode (counter relative to the other electrode) since each of those metals is a good catalyst for both electrodes. Suitable fuels include methanol (CH.sub.3 OH), formaldehyde (HCHO), and formic acid (HCOOH).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.