US4229490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Novel method for catalyst application to a substrate for fuel cell electrodes
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1978-09-01
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Granted: 1980-10-21
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Expires: 1998-09-01
Abstract
Abstract An improved method of making a fuel cell electrode wherein a thin carbonized paper-like substrate is first impregnated with an electrolyte-repelling material, and thereafter a thin layer of catalyst material is screen printed thereupon.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven N. Frank
- 👤 James G. Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:39
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/88; H01M4/8803; H01M4/8807; H01M4/8663; H01M4/8668; H01M4/8673; H01M4/8817; H01M4/8821; H01M4/8825; H01M4/8828; H01M4/8835; H01M4/8878; H01M4/8882; H01M4/8885; H01M4/8896; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/023; H01M8/0234; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
The method of making an improved fuel cell electrode comprising the steps of selecting and sizing a thin porous graphitized carbon member, impregnating said member with Teflon, drying said member, mixing platinum black and minute particles of graphite in a ratio of about one part platinum black to four parts graphite, adding a solution in the ratio of about 44 milliliters of Triton X-100 (Octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol) and 20 milliliters of water for each 20 grams of the platinum black/graphite to produce a first mix, adding about 12 milliliters of Teflon 30 to each 20 grams of said first mix to produce a second mix, blending said second mix, screen printing said second mix upon a major surface of the member to produce a coating comprising platinum black catalytic material and finely divided graphite, drying said coating and sintering said coating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
The method of making an improved fuel cell electrode comprising the steps of selecting and sizing a thin porous graphitized carbon member, impregnating said member with Teflon, drying said member, mixing platinum black and minute particles of graphite in a ratio of about one part platinum black to four parts graphite, adding a solution in the ratio of about 44 milliliters of Triton X-100 (Octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol) and 20 milliliters of water for each 20 grams of the platinum black/graphite to produce a first mix, adding about 12 milliliters of Teflon 30 to each 20 grams of said first mix to produce a second mix, blending said second mix, screen printing said second mix upon a major surface of the member to produce a coating comprising platinum black catalytic material and finely divided graphite, drying said coating and sintering said coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 in which the impregnation with Teflon is by immersion in a solution having about 60 percent by weight of Teflon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 in which said screen printing is accomplished with said material first oriented in a first predetermined position for a first printing, and then reoriented at 90 degrees for a second printing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 in which said porous material is carbon paper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 in which the impregnation with Teflon is by immersion in a solution having about 60 percent by weight of Teflon.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
196 words
The method of making an improved fuel cell electrode comprising the steps of selecting and sizing a thin porous graphitized carbon paper member of from 11 to 13 mils thickness, dipping said member in a solution of Teflon to impregnate said member therewith, drying said member by heating said member to about 160°-230° C. for about 50 minutes, mixing platinum black and minute graphite particles in a ratio of about one part platinum black to four parts graphite, adding a solution in the ratio of about 44 milliliters of Triton X-100 (Octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol), and 20 milliliters of water for each 20 grams of the platinum black/graphite to produce a first mix, adding about 12 milliliters of Teflon 30 to each 20 grams of said first mix to produce a second mix, mixing said second mix, screen printing said second mix upon a major surface of the member to produce a coating comprising platinum catalytic material and finely divided graphite, drying said coating by heating said member to about 160° -230° C. for about one hour, washing said member, heating said member to sinter said coating, pressing said member while hot, and cooling said member.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
196 words
The method of making an improved fuel cell electrode comprising the steps of selecting and sizing a thin porous graphitized carbon paper member of from 11 to 13 mils thickness, dipping said member in a solution of Teflon to impregnate said member therewith, drying said member by heating said member to about 160°-230° C. for about 50 minutes, mixing platinum black and minute graphite particles in a ratio of about one part platinum black to four parts graphite, adding a solution in the ratio of about 44 milliliters of Triton X-100 (Octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol), and 20 milliliters of water for each 20 grams of the platinum black/graphite to produce a first mix, adding about 12 milliliters of Teflon 30 to each 20 grams of said first mix to produce a second mix, mixing said second mix, screen printing said second mix upon a major surface of the member to produce a coating comprising platinum catalytic material and finely divided graphite, drying said coating by heating said member to about 160° -230° C. for about one hour, washing said member, heating said member to sinter said coating, pressing said member while hot, and cooling said member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said last mentioned heating of said member to sinter said coating is at approximately 400° C. for a period of from two to ten minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said pressing occurs at pressures of from 300 to 3,000 pounds per square inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said pressing occurs at pressures of from 300 to 3,000 pounds per square inch.
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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) | 1983-10-21 | 1984-04-21 | 1984-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-21 | 1988-04-21 | 1988-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-21 | 1992-04-21 | 1992-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |