Method for making membrane fuel cell electrodes by low-voltage electrophoretic deposition of carbon nanomaterial-supported catalysts
US8273230B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A cathode electrophoretic deposition (EPD) suspension is provided by mixing an ionomer solution with an electrolyte. An anode EPD suspension is provided via mixing carbon nanomaterial (CNM)-supported catalyst with a solution of the same composition as that of the cathode EPD suspension. Ultrasonication and high-speed stirring are executed on the cathode and anode EPD suspensions, thus turning them into homogenous suspensions. There is provided a low-voltage EPD apparatus incorporated with a porous material to separate it into anode and cathode compartments. The anode and cathode EPD suspensions are filled in the anode and cathode compartments, respectively. An inert gas is introduced into the anode compartment for stirring the anode EPD suspension. An electrode base substrate is used as the anode of the EPD apparatus. A low-voltage direct current (DC) power supply is used to supply DC low voltage to the EPD apparatus, thus evenly coating a catalyst layer on the substrate. The catalyst layer coated on the substrate is washed with de-ionized water and dried, thus forming a membrane fuel cell (MFC) electrode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.