Abstract:
1,159,345. Fuel cell electrodes. LEESONA CORP. 23 Sept., 1966 [30 Sept., 1965], No. 42466/66. Heading H1B. A fuel cell electrode comprises a porous metal support having its internal voids sealed with a thin film of a hydrophobic polymer and carrying on at least one surface a catalytic layer which is a uniform mixture of an electrochemically activating metal and a hydrophobic polymer which has been sintered. The metal support may be e.g. a screen, expanded metal, felt or mesh of 0À1-0À4 mm. thickness, and mesh size 50-100, made of, e.g. Ni, Ta, Ti, Cu, Zn, Fe, Ag, Au, Pd, Pt, Os or alloys thereof. The catalytic layer may comprise Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Co, Pt, Ru, Pd, Os, Ir or Rh or alloys thereof disposed with P.T.F.E., polystyrene, polyethylene, poly (mono-, di- or tri-fluoroethylene), or poly-(trifluorochloroethylene), in ratios of 90-55 wt. per cent metal to 10-45 wt. per cent polymer. In examples a 100 mesh Ni screen or a 50 mesh Ta screen is dipped in an aqueous dispersion of P.T.F.E. and dried, then coated by spraying on both sides with an aqueous dispersion of P.T.F.E. and Pt black.