Patent · US Expired

Fuel cell anode based on a disordered catalytic material

US4487818A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
3References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 19, 1982
Grant dateDec 11, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 19, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An anode for hydrogen oxidation in a fuel cell is formed from a host matrix including at least one transition element which is structurally modified by the incorporation of at least one modifier element to improve its catalytic properties. The catalytic body is based on a disordered non-equilibrium material designed to have a high density of catalytically active sites, resistance to poisoning, and long operating life. Modifier elements, including Ti, Mo, Zr, Mg, V, Si or Al, structurally modify the local chemical environments of a nickel or other transition element host matrix to form the catalytic materials of the anode. The improved low overvoltage catalytic materials of the anode of the present invention increase the operating efficiencies of fuel cells employing such anodes. The catalytic materials can be deposited as a layer on the surface of porous electrode substrates to form a gas diffusion anode or can be formed as a gas diffusion electrode.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.