Including Platinum Catalyst Patents (Class 429/524)
  • Patent number: 8361921
    Abstract: Nanoparticles which contain noble metals alone or noble metals in combination with base metals. The nanoparticles are embedded in an aqueous solution of a temporary stabilizer based on a polysaccharide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Starz, Dan Goia, Joachim Koehler, Volker Bänisch
  • Publication number: 20130022899
    Abstract: Core-shell type metal nanoparticles including a core portion and a shell portion covering the core portion, wherein the core portion includes a core metal material selected from metals and alloys, and wherein the shell portion includes an alloy of a first shell metal material and a second shell metal material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Arai, Naoki Takehiro, Atsuo Iio, Hiroko Kimura
  • Publication number: 20130017473
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a mixed catalyst containing a metal oxide nanowire, and an electrode and a fuel cell which include a mixed catalyst manufactured by the method. The method includes: forming a metal/polymer nanowire by electrospinning a polymer solution containing a first metal precursor and a second metal precursor; forming a metal oxide nanowire by heat-treating the metal/polymer mixture nanowire; and mixing the metal oxide nanowire with active metal nanoparticles. Here, the metal of the second metal precursor is used as a dopant for the metal oxide nanowire. In the event an electrode catalyst layer of a fuel cell is formed using the manufactured mixed catalyst, the fuel cell has the advantages of significantly improved performance and reduced costs in generating electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Won Bae Kim, Yong-Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20130011768
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode supported solid-oxide fuel cell based flame fuel cell that enable the generation of both electricity and heat from a flame (i.e. flame is used as a heat source and a fuel source for the fuel cell's operation, while supplying a useful heat for other thermochemical systems) and, more particularly, to an anode supported solid-oxide fuel cell based flame fuel cell that uses hydrocarbon/air mixture as a fuel source and includes a catalyst layer that can act as a protective layer for the anode layer, an anode layer, a cathode layer, an electrolyte layer, and an interlayer between the cathode layer and the electrolyte layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Jeongmin Ahn
  • Patent number: 8349514
    Abstract: An electrode catalyst for fuel cells, a method of preparing the electrode catalyst, and a fuel cell including the electrode containing the electrode catalyst have been improved. The electrode catalyst includes a beryllium (Be) oxide catalyst, which oxidizes carbon monoxide included in a fuel gas into carbon dioxide, and a platinum (Pt) based catalyst. Thus, loss in catalytic activity of the Pt-based catalyst due to carbon monoxide is decreased, and the activity and life of the fuel cell including the electrode catalyst are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-jung Kwon, Chan-ho Pak, Kang-hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8349520
    Abstract: This invention discloses a catalyst layer which is formed at first incorporating sulfonated amorphous carbons and later the sulfonated amorphous carbons are removed. In addition, said sulfonated amorphous carbons show 13C NMR spectrum which has chemical shifts indicating carbons of a condensed aromatic 6-membered ring to which sulfonic groups are attached and are not attached respectively, and a powder X-ray diffraction spectrum which has a peak corresponding to the carbon's (002) plane at 5-30 degrees of half-value width (2?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohei Shiramizu
  • Patent number: 8349757
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrode comprising an electrically conductive material having a surface capable of producing surface enhanced Raman scattering of incident light from a complex adsorbed at the surface of the electrode, the complex including the electrically conductive material combined with a second material that is substantially reducible and not substantially oxidizable. The surface of the electrode can be microroughened. The invention also includes a method for making various embodiments of the electrode, and a method of generating electricity using the electrode. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a fuel cell is provided including the electrode of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fordham University
    Inventor: John J. McMahon
  • Publication number: 20130004885
    Abstract: A process includes patterning a surface of a platinum group metal-based electrode by contacting the electrode with an adsorbate to form a patterned platinum group metal-based electrode including platinum group metal sites blocked with adsorbate molecules and platinum group metal sites which are not blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Dusan Strmcnik, Bostjan Genorio, Vojislav Stamenkovic, Nenad Markovic
  • Publication number: 20130004886
    Abstract: A process includes patterning a surface of a platinum group metal-based electrode by contacting the electrode with an adsorbate to form a patterned platinum group metal-based electrode including platinum group metal sites blocked with adsorbate molecules and platinum group metal sites which are not blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Dusan Strmcnik, Angel Cuesta, Vojislav Stamenkovic, Nenad Markovic
  • Publication number: 20120328970
    Abstract: A material for a solid oxide fuel cell, the material including: a first compound having a perovskite crystal structure, a first ionic conductivity, a first electronic conductivity, and a first thermal expansion coefficient, wherein the first compound is represented by Formula 1 below; and a second compound having a perovskite crystal structure, a second ionic conductivity, a second electronic conductivity, and a second thermal expansion coefficient, BaaSrbCoxFeyZ1-x-yO3-?,??Formula 1 wherein Z is a transition metal element, a lanthanide element, or a combination thereof, a and b satisfy 0.4?a?0.6 and 0.4?b?0.6, respectively, x and y satisfy 0.6?x?0.9 and 0.1?y?0.4, respectively, and ? is selected so that the first compound is electrically neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicants: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soo-yeon SEO, Chan KWAK, Hee-jung PARK
  • Patent number: 8338323
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an electrode for electrochemical reaction, wherein a conductive diamond layer is formed on an electrode substrate in the electrode; and the electrode substrate on which the conductive diamond layer is formed is kept at a temperature of 400° C. or more and 1,000° C. or less in a water vapor, thereby forming a micropore in the conductive diamond layer. Also, the present invention provides an electrode for electrochemical reaction obtained by the foregoing production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Permelec Electrode Ltd., Shinshu University
    Inventors: Yoshio Takasu, Wataru Sugimoto, Tatsuya Ohashi, Junfeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8338051
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell comprising catalyst metal particles of noble metal-base metal-Ce (cerium) ternary alloy carried on carbon materials, wherein the noble metal is at least one member selected from among Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag and Au, the base metal is at least one member selected from among Ir, Co, Fe, Ni and Mn, and the relative proportion (i.e., the molar proportion) of noble metal:base metal:Ce (cerium) is 20 to 95:5 to 60:0.1 to 3. The electrode catalyst for a fuel cell inhibits deterioration of an electrolyte membrane or an electrolyte in an electrode catalyst layer, improves durability, and, in particular, improves the capacity for power generation in the high current density region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Cataler Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Yosuke Horiuchi, Takahiro Nagata, Tomoaki Terada, Toshiharu Tabata
  • Publication number: 20120321996
    Abstract: The production method according to the present invention includes a process for producing fine particles formed of a non-precious metal; a process for forming a shell of a precious metal on the respective surfaces of the fine particles of the non-precious metal; and a process for collecting a catalyst from a fluid reaction mixture. A fine metal particle-carrying catalyst prepared by such a production method includes fine non-precious metal particles as the cores thereby reducing the usage of a precious metal to achieve suppression of a cost increase. Since it includes a shell portion formed of a precious metal, it exhibits excellent catalytic activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: NORITAKE CO., LTD.,
    Inventor: Masaaki Ito
  • Patent number: 8334080
    Abstract: A catalyst for a fuel cell is disclosed that includes a conductive carrier, and a catalyst layer formed to cover the conductive carrier and formed of one of Pt, Ru, and a Pt-based alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Fumio Takei
  • Patent number: 8329359
    Abstract: For a combination of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 107, catalytic layers 111 and 113 disposed on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 107, gas diffusion layers 112 and 114 disposed outside the catalytic layers 111 and 113, and separators 103 and 104 disposed outside the gas diffusion layers 112 and 114, the catalytic layer 113 to be cathode-sided includes a carbon carrier 117 composed of carbon having a mean lattice plane spacing d002 of [002] planes calculated from an X-ray diffraction within a range of 0.343 nm to 0.358 nm, a crystallite size Lc within a range of 3 nm to 10 nm, and a specific surface area within a range of 200 m2/g to 300 m2/g, catalyst particles 115 containing platinum supported on the carbon carrier 117, and an electrolyte 116.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ohma, Shinji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120308907
    Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising at least one precious metal, wherein the catalyst composition is capable of catalyzing, in the presence of a halogen ion or a mixture of halogen ions, a charging reaction and a discharging reaction in a regenerative fuel cell. This disclosure relates to electrodes comprising those catalysts that are useful in fuel cells. The catalysts are active towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and porous electrodes are made in a process designed to control their porosity. The catalysts and electrodes are employed in regenerative fuel cells comprising hydrogen and halogen acid or mixture of halogen acids. The catalysts are particularly useful in hydrogen/bromine reduction/oxidation reactions. The catalysts exhibit highly acceptable life and performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: RAMOT AT TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY LTD.
    Inventors: Emanuel Peled, Arnon Blum, Adi Aharon, Nina Travitsky, Yaron Konra, Kobby Saadi, Vladimir Zel, Meital Goor, Meital Alon, Roy Gorenshtein
  • Publication number: 20120308916
    Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a noble metal skeletal structure. The noble metal skeletal structure is formed as an atomically thin layer of noble metal atoms that has a hollow center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minhua Shao, Lesia V. Protsailo
  • Publication number: 20120295181
    Abstract: A benzoxazine-based monomer, a polymer thereof, an electrode for a fuel cell including the same, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell including the same, and a fuel cell using the same. The aromatic ring may contain up to 2 nitrogens within the ring. Single ring and fused ring substituents are attached to the pendent nitrogen. The ring substituents may be heterocyclic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seongwoo Choi, Jungock Park, Wonmok Lee
  • Publication number: 20120282542
    Abstract: An anode assembly for a fuel cell, the anode assembly having an anode catalyst component, said anode catalyst component comprising both a noble metal catalyst and a photo-catalyst, and said photo-catalyst being provided for enhancing contaminant carbon monoxide oxidation upon irradiation by incident radiation; the anode assembly further comprising a current collecting means electrically coupled to the anode catalyst component and being porous to said incident radiation and fuel for the fuel cell; and a flow plate incorporating a light source for providing incident radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Angela Kruth, Malcolm John Todd, Donal Elliot Macphee, Richard Peter Kerwin Wells
  • Patent number: 8304362
    Abstract: The invention discloses core/shell type catalyst particles comprising a Mcore/Mshell structure with Mcore=inner particle core and Mshell=outer particle shell, wherein the medium diameter of the catalyst particle (dcore+shell) is in the range of 20 to 100 nm, preferably in the range of 20 to 50 nm. The thickness of the outer shell (tshell) is about 5 to 20% of the diameter of the inner particle core of said catalyst particle, preferably comprising at least 3 atomic layers. The core/shell type catalyst particles, particularly the particles comprising a Pt-based shell, reveal a high specific activity. The catalyst particles are preferably supported on suitable support materials such as carbon black and are used as electrocatalysts for fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Lopez, Michael Lennartz, Dan V. Goia, Carsten Becker, Stéphanie Chevalliot
  • Patent number: 8293671
    Abstract: Provided is a method for suppressing corrosion of a carbon material, which acts as a carrier in a catalyst layer of PEFC. The present invention relates to an electrode catalyst produced by subjecting a carbon material having a noble metal catalyst supported thereon to heat treatment under inert gas atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8293675
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a catalyst comprising a metal of the platinum group and a second metal selected from among the metals of the platinum group or the transition metals, in which a catalyst comprising the metal of the platinum group is mixed with a complex comprising the second metal to give a dry powder in a first step and the powder is subsequently heat treated to form a compound between the metal of the platinum group and the second metal. The invention further relates to the use of the catalyst produced according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Stefan Kotrel, Gerhard Cox, Ekkehard Schwab, Alexander Panchenko
  • Patent number: 8288054
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes an anode, a cathode, a membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein at least one of the anode, cathode and membrane contains a hydrocarbon ionomer, and an electrode catalyst disposed in at least one of the anode and the cathode, wherein the catalyst is a metal alloy catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Power Corporation
    Inventors: Sathya Motupally, Ned Cipollini, Lesia Protsailo, Andrew Haug, Tommy Skiba, Chi-Hum Paik
  • Patent number: 8288308
    Abstract: The invention discloses core/shell type catalyst particles comprising a Mcore/Mshell structure with Mcore=inner particle core and Mshell?outer particle shell, wherein the medium diameter of the catalyst particle (dcore+shell) is ?20 nm. The thickness of the outer shell (tshell) comprises at least 3 atomic layers. The core/shell type catalyst particles, particularly the particles comprising a Pt-based shell, reveal a high specific activity. The catalyst particles are preferably supported on suitable support materials such as carbon black and are used as electrocatalysts for fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Lopez, Michael Lennartz, Dan V. Goia, Carsten Becker, Stephanie Chevalliot
  • Publication number: 20120251924
    Abstract: The invention concerns an active layer for an electrochemical reactor comprising:—a carbon electronic conductor which is not a fullerene as a support; and —a catalytic system made up of one or more metals and a fullerene. It also concerns an electrochemical reactor integrating such an active layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique Et Aux Engeries Alternatives
    Inventors: Guillaume Krosnicki, Alejandro Franco, Nicolas Guillet, Olivier Lemaire
  • Publication number: 20120251915
    Abstract: A catalyst layer includes a layered structure. The layered structure is laminated with sheet-like unit catalysts and pore layers. The sheet-like unit catalysts have mean thicknesses of 4 to 30 nm. The pore layers are sandwiched between the sheet-like unit catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Wu MEI, Taishi Fukazawa, Yoshihiro Akasaka
  • Publication number: 20120251921
    Abstract: A phosphorus containing monomer, a polymer thereof, an electrode for a fuel cell including the polymer, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell including the polymer, and a fuel cell including the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seongwoo Choi, Jungock Park
  • Publication number: 20120251923
    Abstract: A material for a solid oxide fuel cell including a compound of Chemical Formula 1: BaaSrbCoxFeyM1-x?yO3-???Chemical Formula 1 wherein M represents at least one of a transition metal element or a lanthanide element, a and the b are in a range of 0.4?a?0.6 and 0.4?b?0.6, respectively, x and y are in a range of 0.6?x?0.9 and 0.1?y?0.4, respectively, and ? is selected so that the compound of Chemical Formula 1 is electrically neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soo-yeon SEO, Chan KWAK, Hee-jung PARK
  • Patent number: 8278011
    Abstract: The present invention relates to SiC nanostructures, including SiC nanopowder, SiC nanowires, and composites of SiC nanopowder and nanowires, which can be used as catalyst supports in membrane electrode assemblies and in fuel cells. The present invention also relates to composite catalyst supports comprising nanopowder and one or more inorganic nanowires for a membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yimin Zhu, Jay L. Goldman, Baixin Qian, Ionel C. Stefan
  • Patent number: 8273504
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing supported noble metal based alloy catalysts with a high degree of alloying and a small crystallite size. The method involves using polyol solvents as reaction medium and comprises a two-step reduction process in the presence of a support material. In the first step, the first metal (transition metal; e.g. Co, Cr, Ru) is activated by increasing the reaction temperature to 80 to 160° C. In the second step, the second metal (noble metal; e.g. Pt, Pd, Au) is added and the slurry is heated to the boiling point of the polyol solvent in a range of 160 to 300 ° C. The catalysts manufactured according to the method are used as electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFC) or as gas phase catalysts for CO oxidation or exhaust gas purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dan V. Goia, Marco Lopez, Tapan Kumar Sau, Mihaela-Ortansa Jitianu
  • Publication number: 20120237854
    Abstract: A fuel cell component includes an electrode support material made with nanofiber materials of Titania and ionomer. A bipolar plate stainless steel substrate and a carbon-containing layer doped with a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, gold, palladium, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Youssef M. Mikhail, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech
  • Publication number: 20120231366
    Abstract: A fuel cell anode comprises a porous ceramic molten metal composite of a metal or metal alloy, for example, tin or a tin alloy, infused in a ceramic where the metal is liquid at the temperatures of an operational solid oxide fuel cell, exhibiting high oxygen ion mobility. The anode can be employed in a SOFC with a thin electrolyte that can be a ceramic of the same or similar composition to that infused with the liquid metal of the porous ceramic molten metal composite anode. The thicknesses of the electrolyte can be reduced to a minimum that allows greater efficiencies of the SOFC thereby constructed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: ERIC D. WACHSMAN, Sean Robert Bishop
  • Publication number: 20120219877
    Abstract: A naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer is represented by Formula 1 below: In Formula 1, R2 and R3 or R3 and R4 are linked to each other to form a group represented by Formula 2 below, and R5 and R6 or R6 and R7 are linked to each other to form a group represented by Formula 2 below, In Formula 2, * represents the bonding position of R2 and R3, R3 and R4, R5 and R6, or R6 and R7 of Formula 1. A polymer is formed by polymerizing the naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer, an electrode for a fuel cell includes the polymer, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell includes the polymer, and a fuel cell uses the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Seongwoo Choi, Jungock Park
  • Patent number: 8252486
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode catalyst for solid polymer fuel cells wherein CO tolerance is improved. Specifically disclosed is a catalyst for fuel cells having a first catalyst and a second catalyst. The first catalyst contains Pd, C and an oxide, namely SnO2 or TiO2, and the second catalyst contains C and an alloy containing Pt and Ru.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Kyoto University, National University Corporation Hokkaido University
    Inventors: Ryuji Kikuchi, Tatsuya Takeguchi
  • Patent number: 8252485
    Abstract: In a method of producing a particulate electrocatalyst composition, a precursor medium comprising at least a first metal precursor, a liquid vehicle, and a substrate precursor to substrate particles is atomized into precursor droplets. The droplets are then heated to a reaction temperature of not greater than 700° C. to form composite particles comprising said first metal at least partly in an oxide form dispersed on said substrate particles. The composite particles are then collected and are heated at a first treatment temperature no greater than 250° C. in the presence of a reducing atmosphere to at least partly convert said oxide form to the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: Yipeng Sun, Paolina Atanassova, James Brewster, Leonard P. Perez, Hanwei Lei, Berislav Blizanac
  • Publication number: 20120214083
    Abstract: The present invention concerns electrode catalysts used in fuel cells, such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The invention is related to the reduction of the noble metal content and the improvement of the catalytic efficiency by low level substitution of the noble metal to provide new and innovative catalyst compositions in fuel cell electrodes. The novel electrode catalysts of the invention comprise a noble metal selected from Pt, Pd and mixtures thereof alloyed with a further element selected from Sc, Y and La as well as any mixtures thereof, wherein said alloy is supported on a conductive support material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET
    Inventors: Jens Nørskov, Jeffrey Greeley, Ifan Stephens, Alexander S. Bondarenko, Tobias Johansson, Heine Anton Hansen, Thomas Jaramillo, Jan Rossmeisl, Ib Chorkendorff
  • Patent number: 8247136
    Abstract: Novel proton exchange membrane fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells with nanostructured components are configured with higher precious metal utilization rate at the electrodes, higher power density, and lower cost. To form a catalyst, platinum or platinum-ruthenium nanoparticles are deposited onto carbon-based materials, for example, single-walled, dual-walled, multi-walled and cup-stacked carbon nanotubes. The deposition process includes an ethylene glycol reduction method. Aligned arrays of these carbon nanomaterials are prepared by filtering the nanomaterials with ethanol. A membrane electrode assembly is formed by sandwiching the catalyst between a proton exchange membrane and a diffusion layer that form a first electrode. The second electrode may be formed using a conventional catalyst. The several layers of the MEA are hot pressed to form an integrated unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Yushan Yan, Xin Wang, Wenzhen Li, Mahesh Waje, Zhongwei Chen, William Goddard, Wei-Qiao Deng
  • Publication number: 20120208105
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst particle having high catalyst activity and a method for producing the catalyst particle. A catalyst particle comprising a core particle which contains a palladium alloy and an outermost layer which contains platinum, wherein an interlayer comprising only palladium as a simple substance is present between the core particle and the outermost layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Arai, Naoki Takehiro, Koshi Sekizawa, Hiroko Kimura, Atsuo Iio
  • Patent number: 8236207
    Abstract: Compositions, and methods of making thereof, comprising from about 1% to about 5% of a perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer or a hydrocarbon-based ionomer; and from about 95% to about 99% of a solvent, said solvent consisting essentially of a polyol; wherein said composition is substantially free of water and wherein said ionomer is uniformly dispersed in said solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Seung Kim, Kwan-Soo Lee, Tommy Q. T. Rockward
  • Patent number: 8236462
    Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, which has improved performance compared with conventional platinum alloy catalysts, a method for producing the electrode catalyst, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the electrode catalyst are provided. The electrode catalyst for a fuel cell comprises a noble-metal-non-precious metal alloy that has a core-shell structure supported on a conductive carrier. The composition of the catalyst components of the shell is such that the amount of the noble metal is greater than or equal to the amount of the non-precious metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukiyoshi Ueno, Tetsuo Nagami, Tetsuya Shoji
  • Publication number: 20120196205
    Abstract: An electrode for a fuel cell, a membrane electrode assembly including the electrode, and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly. Due to the inclusion of a barrier layer between a diffusion layer and a catalyst layer, the electrode prevents leakage of phosphoric acid moving from the catalyst layer to the diffusion layer and prolongs the lifetime of the membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-ock PARK, Tae-young Kim, Seong-woo Choi, Yoon-hoi Lee
  • Publication number: 20120189933
    Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) and a method of fabricating the DOFC such that the DOFC reduces overpotential. The DOFC includes a cathode electrode; an anode electrode; and a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) sandwiched between the cathode and the anode. Each of the cathode electrode and anode electrode include a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) and the anode electrode catalyst layer includes platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru) and a small amount of SnO2 supported on carbon powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Chao-Yang WANG, Lei Cao, Hiroaki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8227146
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cathode catalyst for a fuel cell, a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including the cathode catalyst, and a fuel cell system. The cathode catalyst includes a core including RuO2, and Se and Pt. The Se and Pt are disposed to enclose the core. The cathode catalyst for a fuel cell of the present invention can have excellent catalyst efficiency, even if less platinum is included therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myoung-Ki Min, Chan Kwak, Alexey Alexandrovichserov
  • Patent number: 8227372
    Abstract: The invention is directed to core/shell type catalyst particles comprising a Mcore/Mshell structure with Mcore=inner particle core and Mshell=outer particle shell, wherein the medium diameter of the catalyst particle (dcore+shell) is in the range of 20 to 100 nm, 5 preferably in the range of 20 to 50 nm. The thickness of the outer shell (tshell) is about 5 to 20% of the diameter of the inner particle core of said catalyst particle, preferably comprising at least 3 atomic layers. The inner particle core (Mcore) of the particles comprises metal or ceramic materials, whereas the material of the outer shell (Mshell) comprises precious metals and/or alloys thereof. The core/shell type catalyst particles are preferably supported on suitable support materials such as carbon black and can be used as electrocatalysts for fuel cells and for other catalytic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Lopez, Michael Lennartz, Dan V. Goia, Carsten Becker, Stéphanie Chevalliot
  • Publication number: 20120178018
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for fuel cells which comprises a support, at least one catalytically active metal from the platinum group or an alloy comprising at least one metal of the platinum group and also at least one oxide of at least one metal selected from among Ti, Sn, Si, W, Mo, Zn, Ta, Nb, V, Cr and Zr. The invention further relates to a process for producing such a catalyst and its use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Claudia Querner, Stefan Kotrel, Ekkehard Schwab, Oemer Uensal, Sigmar Braeuninger
  • Patent number: 8211593
    Abstract: This invention provides novel fuel cell electrodes and catalysts comprising a series of catalytically active thin-film metal alloys with low platinum concentration supported on nanostructured materials (nanoparticles). Processing of the electrodes and catalysts can include electrodeposition methods, and high-pressure coating techniques. In certain embodiments, an integrated gas-diffusion/electrode/catalyst layer can be prepared by processing catalyst thin films and nanoparticles into gas-diffusion media such as Toray or SGL carbon fiber papers. The catalysts can be placed in contact with an electrolyte membrane for PEM fuel cell applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Intematix Corporation
    Inventors: Tao Gu, Thomas R. Omstead, Ning Wang, Yi Dong, Yi-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 8211594
    Abstract: A composition comprising an admixture of at least platinum particles and metal nanoparticles of metal that, when in admixture with the platinum particles, beneficially alters the characteristics of the platinum, including metals selected from one or more of the metals in groups 3-16, lanthanides, combinations thereof, and/or alloys thereof. The composition could be used to form an ink that further comprises an ionically conductive material, such as a polymer, capable of ionic networking throughout the ink composition so as to create a substantially structurally coherent mass without significantly impacting the reactivity of a substantial number of the nanoparticles. In one application, the ink may be used to form a catalyst whereby the ink is applied to an electrically conductive backing material, such as carbon paper or fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: QuantumSphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly McGrath, R. Douglas Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8206877
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes an ion conducting membrane; an anode catalyst layer arranged on one side of the ion conducting membrane; a cathode catalyst layer arranged on the other side of the ion conducting membrane; an anode diffusion layer arranged on an outer side of the anode catalyst layer; and a cathode diffusion layer arranged on an outer side of the cathode catalyst layer. Only in the anode catalyst layer, the density of a first catalyst layer portion located close to the anode diffusion layer is smaller than the density of a second catalyst layer portion located close to the ion conducting membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Koike, Gang Xie, Yoshito Endo
  • Publication number: 20120156585
    Abstract: A process is provided for etching a silicon-containing substrate. In the process, the surface of the substrate is cleaned. A film of alumina is deposited on the cleaned substrate surface. A silver film is deposited above the film of alumina. An etchant comprising HF is contacted with the silver film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Faris Modawar, Jeff Miller, Mike Jura, Brian Murphy, Marcie Black, Brent A. Buchine
  • Patent number: 8202669
    Abstract: A precursor electro-catalyst composition for producing a fuel cell electrode. The precursor composition comprises (a) a molecular metal precursor dissolved or dispersed in a liquid medium and (b) a polymer dissolved or dispersed in the liquid medium, wherein the polymer is both ion-conductive and electron-conductive with an electronic conductivity no less than 10?4 S/cm (preferably greater than 10?2 S/cm) and ionic conductivity no less than 10?5 S/cm (preferably greater than 10?3 S/cm). Also disclosed is an electro-catalyst composition derived from this precursor composition, wherein the molecular metal precursor is converted by heat and/or energy beam to form nanometer-scaled catalyst particles and the polymer forms a matrix that is in physical contact with the catalyst particles, coated on the catalyst particles, and/or surrounding the catalyst particles as a dispersing matrix with the catalyst particles dispersed therein when the liquid is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Bor Z. Jang, Aruna Zhamu, Jiusheng Guo