Generation of electricity with fuel cell using alcohol fuel
US5132193A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In this method, a lower alcohol is oxidized directly (i.e. without reformation) to CO.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O at the anode of a fuel cell, and a reducible gas (e.g. air or O.sub.2) is reduced at the cathode. High, reasonably constant current densities at low over-voltages can be obtained. The electrolyte is preferably an acidic solid polymer electrolyte, and the anode comprises, as the electrocatalyst, a combination of a Group VIII noble metal with gold having significant Au (111) character. The (111) face of gold crystals (preferably crystals in the size range of about 4 to 15 nm) have been found to be specific for oxidation of intermediate alcohol oxidation products (CO, CHO, COH, HCHO, CH.sub.3 CHO, etc.) to CO.sub.2 or CO.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O. Thus, the combination of a Group VIII metal such as Pt with Au (111) avoids "poisoning" of the Pt by these intermediate products. Some protection against such "poisoning" is also provided with Au (110), but Au (100) and polycrystalline gold are not considered useful in the electro-oxidation of lower alcohols (particularly methanol and ethanol). If the alcohol "fuel" is methanol, the combination of Group VIII noble metal and Au (111) should be micros…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.