Title: Fuel cell nanocatalyst with voltage reversal tolerance

Abstract

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell catalyst having a catalyst surface bearing a non-occluding layer of iridium. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell catalyst comprising a catalyst surface bearing a sub-monolayer of iridium. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell catalyst comprising a catalyst surface bearing a layer of iridium having a planar equivalent thickness of between 1 and 100 Angstroms. In some embodiments, the fuel cell catalyst comprises nanostructured elements comprising microstructured support whiskers bearing a thin film of nanoscopic catalyst particles. The layer of iridium typically has a planar equivalent thickness of between 1 and 100 Angstroms and more typically between 5 and 60 Angstroms. The fuel cell catalyst typically comprises no electrically conductive carbon material and typically comprises at least a portion of the iridium in the zero oxidation state.

Inventors:

Steinbach, Andrew J. L.; Vernstrom, George D.; Debe, Mark K.; Atanasoski, Radoslav

Issue Date:

Tue Jan 28 00:00:00 EST 2014

Research Org.:

3M Innovative Properties Company

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1531895

Patent Number(s):

8637193

Application Number:

12/546,775

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

Show more

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

H01M2008/1095 - {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes}
H01M4/8657 - {layered}
H01M4/92 - Metals of platinum group

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

Show less

DOE Contract Number:  

FG36-07GO17007

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2009-08-25

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION