Electrodes for use in electrocatalytic processes
AssigneeThe Ohio State University Research Foundation
InventorsTheodore Kuwana, Wen-Hong Kao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Electrodes having high electrocatalytic activity are prepared by coating a base member of conductive material (preferably glassy carbon) with a layer of a porous polymeric material and then electrodepositing microparticles of metal within the polymeric layer by electrolysis using the electrode in a solution of the appropriate metal. The metal particles deposited within the polymer layer are typically less than about 100 nm. in diameter and their imbedding within the polymeric layer helps prevent poisoning of catalytically active metal by absorbed macromolecules.
Claims13
A method for producing an electrode, said method comprising:
- immersing a base member formed of conductive material and having at least part of its surface covered with a layer of porous, polymeric material, said porous, polymeric material not itself being capable of effecting reduction or oxidation, in a solution of a metal compound capable of being electrolyzed to deposit said metal;
- and
- while said base member is still immersed in said solution, passing current through said base member and said solution, thereby causing electrolysis of said metal salt and deposition of a plurality of discrete particles of said metal dispersed in said layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.