Aerogel and metallic compositions

US7378450B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT · US

Inventors

• Can Erkey · South Windsor, US
• Hiroaki Hara · Tokyo, JP

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 2002
• Grant date: May 27, 2008
• Expiry date: Dec 5, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E60/50
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Metallic aerogel compositions comprising an aerogel, e.g., RF or carbon aerogel, having metallic particles dispersed on its surface are disclosed. The aerogel compositions can have a uniform distribution of small metallic particles, e.g., 1 nanometer average particle diameter. Also disclosed are processes for making the aerogel compositions comprising contacting an aerogel with a supercritical fluid containing a metallic compound. The aerogel compositions are useful, for example in the manufacture of fuel cell electrodes.