US5702839A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Manufacture of electrodes
Assignee: Johnson Matthey Hydrogen Technologies Ltd
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Filing: 1996-06-19
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Granted: 1997-12-30
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Expires: 2016-06-19
Abstract
Abstract An electrode suitable for use in fuel cells, for example in solid polymer fuel cells, comprises a non-uniform electrode layer and has improved electrochemical performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan C. Frost
- 👤 John M. Gascoyne
- 👤 Graham A. Hards
- 👤 David P. Wilkinson
- 👤 Keith B. Prater
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/10; H01M8/1004; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/8605; H01M4/8636; H01M4/8642; H01M4/88; H01M4/8803; H01M4/8814; H01M4/8825; H01M4/8828; H01M4/8835; H01M4/8878; H01M4/8882; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0065; H01M2300/0082; H01M4/8647; H01M4/8657; H01M4/90; H01M4/92; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A gas-liquid permeable porous electrode, comprising one or more electrode layers supported on one side of a substrate, wherein at least one of the one or more electrode layers is free from electrocatalyst, wherein the one or more electrode layers free from electrocatalyst comprises at least one component, wherein the at least one component is present in a first amount per unit area at a first region adapted to be adjacent a bulk gas inlet, and the at least one component is present in a second amount per unit area at a second region at a point on the substrate remote from the first region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A gas-liquid permeable porous electrode, comprising one or more electrode layers supported on one side of a substrate, wherein at least one of the one or more electrode layers is free from electrocatalyst, wherein the one or more electrode layers free from electrocatalyst comprises at least one component, wherein the at least one component is present in a first amount per unit area at a first region adapted to be adjacent a bulk gas inlet, and the at least one component is present in a second amount per unit area at a second region at a point on the substrate remote from the first region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the at least one component gradually increases from the first amount to the second amount.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the at least one component gradually decreases from the first amount to the second amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the at least one component fluctuates between the first amount and the second amount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrode according to claim 1, wherein the at least one component is selected from one or more of a polymeric material, a gas phase active catalyst, carbon particles/fibres or a contact resistance adhesive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrode according to claim 2, wherein the at least one component is selected from one or more of a polymeric material, a gas phase active catalyst, carbon particles/fibres or a contact resistance adhesive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrode according to claim 5, wherein the polymeric material is selected from polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride or a form of a proton-conducting polymer membrane electrolyte which is soluble in a solvent and combinations thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrode according to claim 6, wherein the polymeric material is selected from polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride or a form of a proton-conducting polymer membrane electrolyte which is soluble in a solvent and combinations thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrode according to claim 5, wherein the at least one component is a gas phase active catalyst.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrode according to claim 1, wherein the non-uniform layer is in the form of a pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode according to claim 10, wherein the non-uniform layer is patterned to coincide with a pathway of a gas flow field.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrode according to claim 1, wherein said electrode forms either an anode or a cathode in a fuel cell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode according to claim 1, wherein the difference in the amount of the component being within a plane of a surface of the electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
An electrode according to claim 1, further comprising a uniform electrocatalyst layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A membrane electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the electrodes is an electrode according to claim 1.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
A fuel cell comprising an electrode according to claim 1.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
133 words
A process for the production of an electrode comprising the steps of: (i) preparation of at least one component and solvent into a paste; and (ii) transferring the paste onto one or more sides of a substrate to form one or more electrode layers, wherein at least one of the one or more electrode layers is free from electrocatalyst, wherein the one or more electrode layers free from electocatalyst comprises the at least one component, and wherein the at least one component is present in a first amount per unit area at a first region adapted to be adjacent a bulk gas inlet, and the at least one component is present in a second amount per unit area at a second region at a point on the substrate remote from the first region.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
133 words
A process for the production of an electrode comprising the steps of: (i) preparation of at least one component and solvent into a paste; and (ii) transferring the paste onto one or more sides of a substrate to form one or more electrode layers, wherein at least one of the one or more electrode layers is free from electrocatalyst, wherein the one or more electrode layers free from electocatalyst comprises the at least one component, and wherein the at least one component is present in a first amount per unit area at a first region adapted to be adjacent a bulk gas inlet, and the at least one component is present in a second amount per unit area at a second region at a point on the substrate remote from the first region.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 17, wherein the at least one of the one or more electrode layers is applied in the form of a pattern.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 17, wherein the at least one of the one or more electrode layers is applied by using a screen printing technique.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 17, wherein the difference in the aamount of the at least one component being within a plane of a surface of the electrode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
104 words
A gas-liquid permeable porous electrode, comprising one or more non-uniform electrode layers supported on one side of a substrate, wherein at least one of the one or more non-uniform electrode layers comprises at least one component, wherein the at least one component is not an electrocatalyst, and wherein the at least one component is present in a first amount per unit area at a first region adapted to be adjacent a bulk gas inlet, and the at least one component is present in a second amount per unit area at a second region at a point on the substrate remote from the first region.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
104 words
A gas-liquid permeable porous electrode, comprising one or more non-uniform electrode layers supported on one side of a substrate, wherein at least one of the one or more non-uniform electrode layers comprises at least one component, wherein the at least one component is not an electrocatalyst, and wherein the at least one component is present in a first amount per unit area at a first region adapted to be adjacent a bulk gas inlet, and the at least one component is present in a second amount per unit area at a second region at a point on the substrate remote from the first region.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-29 | 2001-06-30 | 2001-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-29 | 2005-06-30 | 2005-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-29 | 2009-06-30 | 2009-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |