US4948680A — Solid compositions for fuel cell electrolytes

Claim 1

Independent Claim 174 words

The use of a solid O 2- (oxide ion) conducting material as an electrolyte for a fuel-cell, said material comprising: a monocrystal or polycrystal structure of the formula A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z (AA) wherein A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof; B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium or magnesium, and x is between 0 and 0.9999, Z is selected from the group consisting of F 3-x and O c F d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x, wherein c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.001 and less than or equal to 3, wherein the solid material as an electrolyte is a thin layer having one side in contact with an electrode which is in contact with a gaseous fuel for a fuel cell and the other side of the thin solid material for the electrolyte is also in contact with an electrode which is in contact with gaseous oxygen, or air or mixtures thereof.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 174 words

The use of a solid O 2- (oxide ion) conducting material as an electrolyte for a fuel-cell, said material comprising: a monocrystal or polycrystal structure of the formula A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z (AA) wherein A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof; B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium or magnesium, and x is between 0 and 0.9999, Z is selected from the group consisting of F 3-x and O c F d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x, wherein c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.001 and less than or equal to 3, wherein the solid material as an electrolyte is a thin layer having one side in contact with an electrode which is in contact with a gaseous fuel for a fuel cell and the other side of the thin solid material for the electrolyte is also in contact with an electrode which is in contact with gaseous oxygen, or air or mixtures thereof.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 13 words

The use of the solid material of claim 1 wherein A is lanthanum.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 13 words

The use of the solid material of claim 2 wherein B is strontium.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

The use of the solid material of claim 3 wherein Z is F 3-x .

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The use of the solid material of claim 3 wherein Z is O c F d and wherein the oxygen is an integral part of the crystal lattice.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

The use of the solid material of claim 4 wherein A is lanthanum, Z is F 3-x , and x is 0, and the solid material is a polycrystal.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The use of the solid material of claim 1 wherein the solid material as a polycrystal has a thickness between about 1 and 300 micrometers.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The use of the solid material of claim 7 wherein solid material as a polycrystal has a thickness between about 1 and 300 micrometers.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

The use of the solid material of claim 1 as a fuel cell to generate an electrical current at a temperature of between about 20° and 300° C.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

The use of the solid material of claim 8 as a fuel cell to generate an electrical current at a temperature of between about 20° and 300° C.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 209 words

The use of a solid electrolyte fuel cell comprising a structure: C--E--A'--S wherein a first electrode material (C), which is only in contact with a thin film solid electrolyte (E) which is also separately in contact with a second electrode material A' which is also separately in contact with a porous mechanical support material (S), wherein the thin film solid electrolyte (E) has the structure: A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z wherein A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof; B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium or magnesium, x is between 0 and 0.9999, Z is selected from the group consisting of F 3-x and O c F d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x, wherein c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.001 and less than or equal to 3, wherein the solid material as an electrolyte is a thin layer having one side in contact with an electrode which is in contact with a gaseous fuel for a fuel cell and the other side of the thin solid material for the electrolyte is also in contact with an electrode which is in contact with gaseous oxygen, or air or mixtures thereof.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 209 words

The use of a solid electrolyte fuel cell comprising a structure: C--E--A'--S wherein a first electrode material (C), which is only in contact with a thin film solid electrolyte (E) which is also separately in contact with a second electrode material A' which is also separately in contact with a porous mechanical support material (S), wherein the thin film solid electrolyte (E) has the structure: A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z wherein A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof; B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium or magnesium, x is between 0 and 0.9999, Z is selected from the group consisting of F 3-x and O c F d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x, wherein c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.001 and less than or equal to 3, wherein the solid material as an electrolyte is a thin layer having one side in contact with an electrode which is in contact with a gaseous fuel for a fuel cell and the other side of the thin solid material for the electrolyte is also in contact with an electrode which is in contact with gaseous oxygen, or air or mixtures thereof.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 11 wherein the first electrode material is in contact with an oxidizing gas and the second electrode material is in contact with a reducing gas.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 35 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 11 wherein the first electrode material is in contact with a reducing gas and the second electrode material is in contact with an oxidizing gas.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 11 wherein the porous support is colloidal alumina.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 27 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 11 wherein the thin film solid electrolyte has a thickness of between about 1 and 300 microns.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 15 wherein in the thin film solid electrolyte B is strontium.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 16 wherein the thin film solid electrolyte A is lanthanum.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 17 wherein x is between about 0.0001 and 0.2.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 16 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 19 wherein x is about 0.1.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 19 wherein the thin film has a thickness of about 10 micrometers.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 25 words

The use of the solid material of claim 1 an electrolyte for a fuel cell at a temperature of between about 200° and 500° C.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 11 at a temperature of between about 300° to 500° C.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 32 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 11 wherein the second electrolyte material is in contact with a porous metallic mechanical support which also functions as a current collector.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 23 wherein the porous metallic support is selected from stainless steel or nickel.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 274 words

The use of a solid electrolyte fuel cell comprising a structure: C--E--A'--S wherein a first electrode material (C), which is only in contact with a thin film solid electrolyte (E) which is also separately in contact with a second electrode material (A') which is also separately in contact with a porous mechanical support material (S), wherein the thin film solid electrolyte (E) has the structure: A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z wherein A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof; B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium, or magnesium, x is between 0 and 0.9999, Z is selected from the group consisting of F 3-x and O c F d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x, where c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.001 and less than or equal to 3, wherein either the first electrode material (C) or second electrode material (A') comprises A.sub.1-x B.sub.x QO.sub.3 having a perovskite or perovskite-type structure as an electrode catalyst in combination with A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z as a polycrystalline solid electrolyte wherein A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium or scandium, B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium or magnesium, Q is independently selected from nickel, cobalt, iron or manganese and x is between about 0 and 0.9999, Z is selected from the group consisting of F 3-x and O c F d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x, and c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.0001 and less than or equal to 3.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 274 words

The use of a solid electrolyte fuel cell comprising a structure: C--E--A'--S wherein a first electrode material (C), which is only in contact with a thin film solid electrolyte (E) which is also separately in contact with a second electrode material (A') which is also separately in contact with a porous mechanical support material (S), wherein the thin film solid electrolyte (E) has the structure: A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z wherein A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof; B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium, or magnesium, x is between 0 and 0.9999, Z is selected from the group consisting of F 3-x and O c F d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x, where c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.001 and less than or equal to 3, wherein either the first electrode material (C) or second electrode material (A') comprises A.sub.1-x B.sub.x QO.sub.3 having a perovskite or perovskite-type structure as an electrode catalyst in combination with A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z as a polycrystalline solid electrolyte wherein A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium or scandium, B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium or magnesium, Q is independently selected from nickel, cobalt, iron or manganese and x is between about 0 and 0.9999, Z is selected from the group consisting of F 3-x and O c F d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x, and c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.0001 and less than or equal to 3.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 32 words

The solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 25 wherein A is lanthanum, B is strontium, Q is cobalt, Z is F 3-x and x is greater than 0 and less than 0.5.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 220 words

A solid electrolyte fuel cell comprising a structure: C--E--A'--S wherein a first electrode material (C), which is only in contact with a thin film solid electrolyte (E) which is also separately in contact with a second electrode material (A') which is also separately in contact with a porous mechanical support material (S), wherein the thin film solid electrolyte (E) has the structure: A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z wherein A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof; B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium, or magnesium, x is between 0 and 0.9999, Z is selected from the group consisting of F 3-x and O c F d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x, where c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.001 and less than or equal to 3, with the proviso when A is lanthanum, Z is F 3-x and x is 0, the solid material is only a monocrystal, wherein the cathode material is A 1-x B x QO 3 ; wherein O is oxygen, A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof; B is independently selected from calcium, barium or magnesium; Q is selected manganese, iron, cobalt or nickel, and x is between about 0 and 0.8.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 220 words

A solid electrolyte fuel cell comprising a structure: C--E--A'--S wherein a first electrode material (C), which is only in contact with a thin film solid electrolyte (E) which is also separately in contact with a second electrode material (A') which is also separately in contact with a porous mechanical support material (S), wherein the thin film solid electrolyte (E) has the structure: A.sub.1-x B.sub.x Z wherein A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof; B is independently selected from strontium, calcium, barium, or magnesium, x is between 0 and 0.9999, Z is selected from the group consisting of F 3-x and O c F d where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is between about 0 and 0.9999 and 2c+d=3-x, where c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.001 and less than or equal to 3, with the proviso when A is lanthanum, Z is F 3-x and x is 0, the solid material is only a monocrystal, wherein the cathode material is A 1-x B x QO 3 ; wherein O is oxygen, A is independently selected from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, scandium or mixtures thereof; B is independently selected from calcium, barium or magnesium; Q is selected manganese, iron, cobalt or nickel, and x is between about 0 and 0.8.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 31 words

The use of the solid electrolyte fuel cell of claim 11 wherein A in the porous mechanical support material (S) is selected from electrically conducting metallic material or non-electrically conducting material.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 36 words

The use of the solid electrolyte of claim 28 wherein S has a pore size of between about 0.05-5 μm, a porosity between about 40-80% and a thickness of between about 200 micrometers and 5 millimeters.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 123 words

The use of a solid material as an electrolyte for a fuel cell, said material comprising: a monocrystal or polycrystal structure of the formula: wherein Pb.sub.e Sn.sub.f F.sub.g Pb is lead, Sn is tin, with the proviso that when f is 1, e is 1 and g is 4, and when f is 0, e is 1, and g is 2, wherein the solid material is an electrolyte is a thin layer having one side in contact with an electrode which is in contact with a gaseous fuel for a fuel cell and the other side of the thin solid material for the electrolyte is also in contact with an electrode which is in contact with gaseous oxygen, or air or mixtures thereof.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 123 words

The use of a solid material as an electrolyte for a fuel cell, said material comprising: a monocrystal or polycrystal structure of the formula: wherein Pb.sub.e Sn.sub.f F.sub.g Pb is lead, Sn is tin, with the proviso that when f is 1, e is 1 and g is 4, and when f is 0, e is 1, and g is 2, wherein the solid material is an electrolyte is a thin layer having one side in contact with an electrode which is in contact with a gaseous fuel for a fuel cell and the other side of the thin solid material for the electrolyte is also in contact with an electrode which is in contact with gaseous oxygen, or air or mixtures thereof.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 17 words

The solid material of claim 30 wherein Pb e Sn f F g is PbSn 74 .

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 17 words

The solid material of claim 30 wherein Pb e Sn f F g is PbF 2 .

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-08-13	1994-02-12	1994-08-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-08-13	1998-02-12	1998-08-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-08-13	2002-02-12	2002-08-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Solid compositions for fuel cell electrolytes

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