Structured body for an anode used in fuel cells

Abstract

The structured body intended for use for an anode (1) in fuel cells, comprises a structure formed by macro-pores (100) and an electrode material (5). The macro-pores form communicating spaces which are produced by means of pore forming materials. The electrode material includes skeleton-like or net-like connected structures of particles (60, 70) which are connected by sintering and which form two reticular systems (6, 7) which interengage: a first reticular system (6) made of ceramic material and a second reticular system (7) which contains metals to effect an electrical conductivity. The electrode material has the properties that, with a multiple change between oxidising and reducing conditions, substantially no major property changes occur in the ceramic reticular system, on the one hand, and an oxidisation or reduction of the metals results in the second reticular system, on the other hand. Moreover, the two reticular systems together form a compact structure which contains micro-pores (110) in the oxidised state whose proportion by volume is less than 20%, preferably less than 5%, with respect to the electrode material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.