Process of preparing nanocrystalline powders of an electroactive alloy
US5395422A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25B11/091
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
There are described powders comprising agglomerated nanocrystals of an electroactive alloy and oxygen. The main component of the alloy can be of nickel, cobalt, iron or mixtures thereof while the alloying element is one or more transition metals such as Mo, W, V, the alloy also including oxygen. Preferably the nanocrystals will be made of an alloy of nickel, molybdenum and oxygen. An electrode which is used by compacting the powders is also disclosed. Also disclosed, is a process for producing the powders by providing particles of nickel, cobalt and iron or oxides thereof with particles of at least one transition metal, (Mo, W, V) or oxides thereof and subjecting the particles to high energy mechanical alloying such as ball milling under conditions which include oxygen and for a sufficient period of time to produce a nanocrystalline alloy. Electrodes produced from these powders have an electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution which is comparable or higher than the electrodes which are presently used in the electrochemical industry. Moreover, these materials present an excellent chemical, electrochemical and mechanical stability. When use as a cathode the powders are use…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.