# US 2010/0167175 A1 · Electrochemical catalysts

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- Number: US 2010/0167175 A1
- Document ID: US20100167175A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/724,848
- Filed: 2010-03-16
- Published: 2010-07-01
- Earliest claimed: 2005-10-20
- Assignees: Quantumsphere, Inc.
- Inventors: Robert Brian Dopp; Kimberly McGrath; R. Douglas Carpenter
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100167175A1

## CPC

- H01M 8/1009: with one of the reactants being liquid, solid or liquid-charged (H01M8/12 takes precedence)
- B82Y 30/00: Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
- H01M 4/8605: {Porous electrodes}
- H01M 4/8647: {consisting of more than one material, e.g. consisting of composites}
- H01M 4/8657: {layered}
- H01M 4/90: Selection of catalytic material
- H01M 4/9016: {Oxides, hydroxides or oxygenated metallic salts}
- H01M 4/9041: {Metals or alloys (H01M4/92 takes precedence)}
- H01M 4/9083: {on carbon or graphite}
- H01M 4/921: {Alloys or mixtures with metallic elements}
- H01M 4/926: {on carbon or graphite}
- H01M 8/1011: Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
- H01M 12/04: composed of a half-cell of the fuel-cell type and of a half-cell of the primary-cell type
- H01M 12/08: composed of a half-cell of a fuel-cell type and a half-cell of the secondary-cell type
- H01M 4/92: Metals of platinum group (H01M4/94 {, H01M4/9058} take precedence)
- H01M 8/083: Alkaline fuel cells
- H01M 8/1013: {Other direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC]}
- H01M 2008/1095: {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes}
- Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries
- Y02E 60/36: Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A composition useful in electrodes provides higher power capability through the use of nanoparticle catalysts present in the composition. Nanoparticles of transition metals are preferred such as manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, palladium, ruthenium, gold, silver, and lead, as well as alloys thereof, and respective oxides. These nanoparticle catalysts can substantially replace or eliminate platinum as a catalyst for certain electrochemical reactions. Electrodes, used as anodes, cathodes, or both, using such catalysts have applications relating to metal-air batteries, hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), direct oxidation fuel cells (DOFCs), and other air or oxygen breathing electrochemical systems as well as some liquid diffusion electrodes.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A composition suitable for use in an electrochemical application, the composition comprising a composite of a plurality of metal nanoparticles and a binding material that is substantially inert under conditions of the at least one electrochemical application, wherein the metal nanoparticles are bound together by the binding material in a manner sufficient to leave a substantial portion of surface area of a substantial portion of the nanoparticles exposed, such that the exposed surface area is available for catalyzing a reaction in the at least one electrochemical application.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles comprise particles having an effective size less than about 100 nm.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The composition of claim 2, wherein the nanoparticles comprise particles having an effective size less than about 50 nm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The composition of claim 3, wherein the nanoparticles comprise particles having an effective size less than about 25 nm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The composition of claim 4, wherein the nanoparticles comprise particles having an effective size less than about 10 nm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the nanoparticles comprises nanoparticles having an oxide shell.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of metals from groups 3-16, lanthanides, combinations thereof, and alloys thereof.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the binding material comprises a polymeric material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The composition of claim 8, wherein the polymeric material comprises a fluorocarbon.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The composition of claim 8, further comprising a catalyst to enhance the catalytic activity of said composition.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

An electrochemical component comprising the composition of claim 1.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The electrochemical component of claim 11, wherein said component is coupled to a current collector for providing a portion of a circuit that is configured to permit an electrical connection between said component and a second component to transmit current therebetween.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

An electrode comprising the circuit portion of claim 12, suitable for use in an electrical energy generating device whereby energy may be provided in a controlled fashion.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The electrode of claim 13, further comprising a hydrophobic membrane disposed on a face thereof, wherein the membrane is configured to inhibit passage therethrough of water generated by electrochemical reaction of protons and oxygen in the device.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The electrode of claim 14, wherein the electrode is a diffusion electrode.