Patent · US Expired

Method for making a low work function electrode

US6103298A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
5References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 22, 1997
Grant dateAug 15, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 22, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B30/00
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods for making low work function electrodes either made from or coated with an electride material in which the electride material has lattice defect sites are described. Lattice defect sites are regions of the crystal structure where irregularities and deformations occur. Also provided are methods for making electrodes which consist of a substrate coated with a layer of a compound comprised of a cation complexed by an electride former, in which said complex has lattice defect sites. In addition, methods for making electrodes which consist of a bulk metal coated with a layer of an electride former having lattice defect sites are described. The electride former stabilizes the loss of electrons by surface sites on the metal, lowering the work-function of the coated surface.

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