Novel method for catalyst application to a substrate for fuel cell electrodes
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsSteven N. Frank, James G. Frank
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved method of making a fuel cell electrode wherein a thin carbonized paper-like substrate is first impregnated with an electrolyte-repelling material, and thereafter a thin layer of catalyst material is screen printed thereupon.
Claims9
The method of making an improved fuel cell electrode comprising the steps of selecting and sizing a thin porous graphitized carbon member, impregnating said member with Teflon, drying said member, mixing platinum black and minute particles of graphite in a ratio of about one part platinum black to four parts graphite, adding a solution in the ratio of about 44 milliliters of Triton X-100 (Octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol) and 20 milliliters of water for each 20 grams of the platinum black/graphite to produce a first mix, adding about 12 milliliters of Teflon 30 to each 20 grams of said first mix to produce a second mix, blending said second mix, screen printing said second mix upon a major surface of the member to produce a coating comprising platinum black catalytic material and finely divided graphite, drying said coating and sintering said coating.
The method of making an improved fuel cell electrode comprising the steps of selecting and sizing a thin porous graphitized carbon paper member of from 11 to 13 mils thickness, dipping said member in a solution of Teflon to impregnate said member therewith, drying said member by heating said member to about 160.degree.-230.degree. C. for about 50 minutes, mixing platinum black and minute graphite particles in a ratio of about one part platinum black to four parts graphite, adding a solution in the ratio of about 44 milliliters of Triton X-100 (Octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol), and 20 milliliters of water for each 20 grams of the platinum black/graphite to produce a first mix, adding about 12 milliliters of Teflon 30 to each 20 grams of said first mix to produce a second mix, mixing said second mix, screen printing said second mix upon a major surface of the member to produce a coating comprising platinum catalytic material and finely divided graphite, drying said coating by heating said member to about 160.degree. -230.degree. C. for about one hour, washing said member, heating said member to sinter said coating, pressing said member while hot, and cooling said member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.