Electrode treatment method for improving performance in liquid feed fuel cells
US6153323A · kind A · utility
2Cited by
7References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
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Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 28, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Fuel cell performance in liquid feed fuel cells with an electrode comprising a carbonaceous substrate and an electrocatalyst can be increased by oxidizing the carbon substrate, particularly by electrochemical methods in acidic aqueous solution, prior to incorporation of the electrocatalyst. The treated substrate may thereafter be advantageously impregnated with a proton conducting ionomer to prevent excessive penetration of the applied catalyst into the substrate. The treatment method is particularly effective for direct methanol fuel cell anodes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.