Fuel cell electrodes

Claim 2

The process of claim 1, in which the electrolyte solution is an 85 percent by weight solution of potassium hydroxide.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 in which the electrode is a transition metal electrode.

Claim 4

The process of claim 4 in which electrolysis of the transition metal electrode is carried out at a current density between 5 and 150 milliamps per cm.2 of electrode surface area.

Claim 5

The process of claim 5, in which electrolysis is carried out at a current density between about 10 and 25 milliamps per cm.2 of electrode surface area.

Claim 6

The process of claim 1, in which the noble metal catalyst is selected from the group consisting of Pd, Ru, Pt, Re, Rh, and Os.

Claim 7

The process of claim 7, in which the noble metal catalyst is Pd.

Claim 8

The process of claim 4, in which the transition metal electrode is constructed of a metal selected from the group consisting of Zr, Ti, Mo, Pd, Fe, Ni, and alloys of Pd and Ag.

Claim 9

The process of claim 4, in which the electrode is Pd.

Claim 10

The process of claim 4, in which the electrode is a Pd-Ag alloy.

Claim 11

A process for activating Pd or Pd-Ag fuel cell electrodes to improve and stabilize the hydrogen transfer rate through such electrodes during cell operation, which comprises: inserting a Pd or Pd-Ag foil electrode into an electrolyte solution consisting essentially of molten KOH and containing about 1 to 3 percent Pd by weight of the solution in the form of an ionizable salt of Pd; maintaining the electrolyte solution at a temperature of about 450* F.; and applying an electric current of about 15 milliamps per cm.2 of electrode surface area to said electrode to cause precipitation of the Pd onto the surface of the electrode.

Claim 12

The process of claim 12, in which the ionizable Pd salt is PdC12 and the electrolyte solution contains about 2 percent by weight of Pd.

Claim 13

A process for activating fuel cell electrodes and using the activated electrodes in a fuel cell to generate electrical current and improve and stabilize the hydrogen transfer rate through the electrodes during cell operation which comprises: inserting an electrode to be activated into a molten alkali meTal hydroxide electrolyte solution containing a minor amount of a salt of a noble metal catalyst, the temperature of the electrolyte solution being between about 300* F. to 500* F., said temperature being below the boiling point of the electrolyte solution but at least as great as the temperature to which the activated electrode is to be subjected in subsequent use, passing an electric current to the electrode through the molten alkali metal hydroxide solution to cause precipitation of the noble metal catalyst onto the surface of the electrode to form an activated electrode, and then inserting said activated electrode in a fuel cell and operating the fuel cell at a temperature not greater than the temperature of the electrolyte solution.