Sub-micron electrolyte thin film on nano-porous substrate by oxidation of metal film
US7179500B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49115
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fluid impermeable thin film is fabricated on a porous substrate by depositing a material having a certain spatial oxidation expansion. After deposition, the material is oxidized whereby the deposited material expands and forms a void free film on top of the porous substrate. The snuggly contacting grain boundaries of the void free film may recombine to a continuous thin film that has a thickness of only a fraction of 1 μm and is substantially fluid impermeable. The small film height contributes to a high ionic conductivity that makes the thin film a preferred choice for a fuel cell electrolyte membrane enabling efficient fuel cell operation at temperatures well below 500° C.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.