Fuel cell construction and method of manufacturing a fuel cell

Patent · Tue Feb 24 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6293596

Bohm, H; Fleischmann, R; Heffler, J

A fuel cell is provided which comprises a matrix layer of an electrolyte in a material which chemically and physically absorbs the electrolyte, such as a polyester fiber bonded with phenol formaldehyde resin. A porous anode electrode and a porous cathode electrode are arranged at respective sides of the matrix layer. The electrolyte comprises polyphosphoric acid. At least one of the electrodes comprises an additional electrolyte carrier, for example, a tungsten carbide electrode having pores which contain a polyphosphoric acid. A method is also disclosed for forming the cell from a matrix of a plurality of fiber materials and using a polymeric binder for the materials. The marix is dipped in a polyphosphoric acid so that a reaction takes place between the acid and the polymer fiber. The cathode and the anode are arranged on respective sides of the matrix and stacking together. An anode of tungsten carbide material is used, having a portion which also carries the electrolyte in the pores thereof. The method includes treating the tungsten cabide electrode with a polyphosphoric acid to permit it to penetrate into the pores of the tungsten carbide electrode.

• Assignee: Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh (Germany, Federal Republic Of)
• Patent Number(s): US 4252868
• OSTI ID: 6293596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300501* -- Fuel Cells-- Design & Development
ACID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
FABRICATION
FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
PHOSPHORIC ACID
POROSITY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TUNGSTEN CARBIDES
TUNGSTEN COMPOUNDS