Title: Fuel cell catalyst

Abstract

A method is provided for making a supported catalyst comprising nanostructured elements which comprise microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles, where the method comprises step a) of vacuum deposition of material from at least a first carbon target in the presence of nitrogen and step b) of vacuum deposition of material from a second target comprising at least one transition metal, the second target comprising no precious metals. In one embodiment, step a) is carried out prior to step b). In another embodiment, steps a) and b) are carried out simultaneously. Typically the deposition steps are carried out in the absence of oxygen. Typically, the transition metal is iron or cobalt, and most typically iron. The present disclosure also provides a supported catalyst comprising nanostructured elements which comprise microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles made according to the present method. The present disclosure also provides a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly comprising the present supported catalyst.

Inventors:

Atanasoski, Radoslav; Schmoeckel, Alison K.; O'Neill, David G.; Vernstrom, George D.; O'Brien, Dennis P.

Issue Date:

2011-01-11

Research Org.:

3M Innovative Properties Company

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1531667

Patent Number(s):

7867648

Application Number:

11/276,166

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company (St. Paul, MN)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

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H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M4/8871 - {Sputtering}
H01M4/90 - Selection of catalytic material
H01M4/9041 - {Metals or alloys
H01M4/9083 - {on carbon or graphite}
H01M8/1004 - characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA]

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/50 - Fuel cells

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02P - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

Y02P70/50 - Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

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DOE Contract Number:  

FC36-02AL67621

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2006-02-16

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY