# US 2013/0157170 A1 · Method for depositing catalyst in fuel cell, fuel cell manufactured by the same and operation apparatus for the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0157170 A1 - Document ID: US20130157170A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/442,616 - Filed: 2012-04-09 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15 - Inventors: Joong Myeon BAE; Sung Min Shin; Kun Ho Lee; Junhyun Kang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130157170A1 ## CPC - C23C 16/40: Oxides - C23C 16/452: by activating reactive gas streams before {their} introduction into the reaction chamber, e.g. by {ionisation} or addition of reactive species - H01M 4/885: {followed by reduction of the catalyst salt precursor} - H01M 4/9058: {of noble metals or noble-metal based alloys} - H01M 2008/1293: {Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes} - Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells - C23C: COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL (making metal-coated products by extrusion B21C23/22; covering with metal by connecting pre-existing layers to articles, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D39/00, B23K; metallising of glass C03C; metallising mortars, concrete, artificial stone, ceramics or natural stone C04B41/00; enamelling of, or applying a vitreous layer to, metals C23D; treating metal surfaces or coating of metals by electrolysis or electrophoresis C25D; single-crystal film growth C30B; by metallising textiles D06M11/83; decorating textiles by locally metallising D06Q1/04) - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Provided are a method for depositing a catalyst in a fuel cell, a fuel cell obtained by the method, and an apparatus for operating the fuel cell. The method for depositing a catalyst in a fuel cell includes: oxidizing a catalyst provided at the top of the cathode with air introduced to the cathode under the operating condition of the fuel cell; and depositing the oxidized catalyst gas at the reactive zone of the cathode. The method allows deposition of an activated catalyst ingredient at the cathode of a fuel cell by disposing a catalyst (such as Pt, Ag, Pd, Ru, etc.) highly reactive to reduction of oxygen at the side to which oxygen is introduced, and oxidizing and vaporizing the catalyst under an actual operating condition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for depositing a catalyst in a fuel cell having a cathode, electrolyte and an anode, the method comprising: oxidizing a catalyst provided at the top of the cathode with air introduced to the cathode under an operating condition of the fuel cell; and depositing the oxidized catalyst gas at a reactive zone of the cathode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the cathode has no oxygen conductivity, and then the reactive zone is three-phase boundary of an interface between the cathode and the electrolyte. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the oxidized catalyst gas is deposited only at the three-phase boundary of the interface between the cathode and the electrolyte. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the cathode has oxygen conductivity, and then the reactive zone is two-phase boundary of the cathode and oxygen. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said depositing is carried out by difference in partial pressure between the catalyst and the three-phase boundary under the operating condition of the fuel cell. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein said depositing is carried out by difference in partial pressure between the catalyst and the two-phase boundary under the operating condition of the fuel cell. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating condition of the fuel cell includes temperature and oxygen partial pressure capable of oxidizing and vaporizing the catalyst. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst is in the form of a mesh. ### Claim 9 A fuel cell having a cathode, electrolyte and an anode, wherein a catalyst oxidized by air introduced to the cathode is deposited at an interface between the cathode and the electrolyte. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fuel cell according to claim 9, wherein the cathode has no oxygen conductivity, and then the oxidized catalyst is deposited at three-phase boundary of the interface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The fuel cell according to claim 9, wherein the cathode has oxygen conductivity, and then the oxidized catalyst is deposited at two-phase boundary of the cathode and oxygen. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The fuel cell according to claim 9, wherein the catalyst is any one selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ag, Pd and Ru. ### Claim 13 An apparatus for operating a fuel cell having a cathode, electrolyte and an anode, the apparatus comprising: an air supply line through which air is introduced to the cathode; and a catalyst provided in the air supply line, wherein the air oxidizes the catalyst before it is in contact with the cathode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the catalyst is any one selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ag, Pd and Ru. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the catalyst is oxidized at an operating temperature of the apparatus.