US4394231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cathode for the electrolytic production of hydrogen
Assignee: Solvay SA
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Filing: 1981-08-28
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Granted: 1983-07-19
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Expires: 2001-08-28
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a cathode for the electrolytic production of hydrogen. The cathode comprises an active surface consisting of a metal oxide obtained by the thermal decomposition of a thermally decomposable compound of a metal chosen from amongst cobalt, iron, manganese or nickel. The cathode is particularly suitable for the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride solutions in cells with a permeable diaphragm.
Inventors
- 👤 Edgard Nicolas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:04
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B11/00; C25B11/04; C25B11/051; C25B11/073; C25B11/055; C25B11/057; C25B11/061; C25B11/075; C25B11/077; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In a process for the production of hydrogen in an electrolytic cell, wherein hydrogen is electrolytically produced on the active zone of a cathode, the improvement consisting in that the cathode active zone essentially consists of a metal oxide produced by the thermal decomposition of a thermally decomposable compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, maganese and nickel, said metal oxide being produced in situ on a support made of an electrically conducting material selected from the group consisting of cobalt, chromium, iron, maganese, nickel and alloys of these metals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a process for the production of hydrogen in an electrolytic cell, wherein hydrogen is electrolytically produced on the active zone of a cathode, the improvement consisting in that the cathode active zone essentially consists of a metal oxide produced by the thermal decomposition of a thermally decomposable compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, maganese and nickel, said metal oxide being produced in situ on a support made of an electrically conducting material selected from the group consisting of cobalt, chromium, iron, maganese, nickel and alloys of these metals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the metal oxide is obtained by the thermal decomposition of a thermally decomposable compound chosen from the group consisting of nitrates, sulphates, phosphates and salts of carboxylic acids.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the metal oxide is obtained by the thermal decomposition of said thermally decomposable compound in an oxidizing medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 3, in which the metal oxide is obtained by the thermal decomposition of said thermally decomposable compound at a temperature between 100° and 300° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the metal oxide is haematite.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the metal oxide is obtained by the thermal decomposition of the thermally decomposable compound, the latter being in solution in a bath containing a soluble alkali metal salt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 6, in which the soluble alkali metal salt is an alkali metal halide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 7, in which the soluble alkali metal salt is sodium chloride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 8, in which the bath contains at least 0.5 mol of soluble alkali metal salt per liter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a process for the production of hydrogen, wherein hydrogen is electrolytically produced on the active zone of a cathode, the improvement in that the cathode active zone consists essentially of iron oxide produced by applied to a cathode support comprising a mild steel gauze, a thermally decomposable compound of iron, heating said support with said compound thereon in an oxidizing atmosphere to convert said compound into an oxide and repeating said applying and heating steps to form on said support an oxide coating having a thickness of at least 10 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a process for the production of hydrogen, wherein hydrogen is electrolytically produced on the active zone of a cathode, the improvement in that the cathode active zone consists essentially of iron oxide produced by applied to a cathode support comprising a mild steel gauze, a thermally decomposable compound of iron, heating said support with said compound thereon in an oxidizing atmosphere to convert said compound into an oxide and repeating said applying and heating steps to form on said support an oxide coating having a thickness of at least 10 microns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-01-17 | 1987-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-18 | 1991-01-17 | 1991-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-18 | 1995-01-17 | 1995-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |