Carbon monoxide tolerant platinum-tantalum alloyed catalyst
AssigneeInternational Fuel Cells Corporation
InventorHarold R. Kunz
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Abstract
Carbon monoxide poisoning of anode catalysts in phosphoric acid fuel cells reduces the cell performance. The carbon monoxide absorbs onto the catalyst, blocking hydrogen oxidation sites. A carbon monoxide tolerant platinum-tantalum alloyed catalyst includes between about 2 wt % and about 50 wt % platinum, between about 2 atom % and 10 atom % tantalum deposited on a support. This catalyst is particularly useful in fuel cell system applications where the fuel stream may contain carbon monoxide.
Claims10
A binary alloyed catalyst, which comprises:
- a. between about 2 wt % and 50 wt % platinum;
- b. between about 2 atom% and 10 atom % tantalum with the platinum;
- and
- c. a support.
A fuel cell, said fuel cell comprised of a cathode with a cathode catalyst, an anode, and a phosphoric acid electrolyte disposed therebetween, a cathode chamber on the nonelectrolyte side of the cathode, an anode chamber on the nonelectrolyte side of the anode, wherein the improvement comprises a binary platinum-tantalum alloyed anode catalyst which comprises about 2 wt % to about 50 wt % platinum to support, and about 2 atom % to about 10 atom % tantalum with said platinum, on an electrically conductive support.
A fuel cell stack, said fuel cell stack having fuel, an oxidant, carbon monoxide, and a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell comprised of a cathode with a cathode catalyst, an anode, and a phosphoric acid electrolyte therebetween, a cathode chamber on the nonelectrolyte side of the cathode, an anode chamber on the nonelectrolyte side of the anode, wherein the improvement comprises a binary platinum-tantalum alloyed anode catalyst which comprises about 2 wt % to about 50 wt % platinum on a support, about 2 atom % and about 10 atom % tantalum, on an electrically conductive support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.