Electrochemical fullerene system
AssigneeMaterials & Electrochemical Research Corp.
InventorsRaouf O. Loutfy, James C. Withers
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Abstract
An electrochemical cell comprising a body of proton donor electrolyte in effective contact with first and second electrodes one of which consists essentially of a fullerene in contact with a conductive material. By the application of an electric current across the electrodes the cell can be used to hydrogenate the fullerene, thereby storing hydrogen and electric energy.
Claims88
A method for the electrochemical production of C.sub.n Hx,
- wherein C=carbon, H=hydrogen,
- n=a multiple of 2 that is at least 20,
- x=a number from 1 to n,
- that comprises the hydrogenation of C.sub.n by applying a source of electric current across a pair of electrodes of an electrochemical cell wherein said electrodes are in contact with an effective proton donor electrolyte, wherein one of said electrodes comprises C.sub.n in contact with a conductive material to which said electric current is applied.
An electrochemical cell comprising means defining a body of a proton donor electrolyte, first and second electrodes in effective contact with said electrolyte, said first electrode consisting essentially of a fullerene in contact with a conductive material, and wherein means including said conductive material are provided for applying an electric current across said electrodes.
A battery comprising a body of a proton donor electrolyte, first and second electrodes in effective contact with said electrolyte, said first electrode consisting essentially of a fullerene in contact with at least one conductive material, and conductive terminal means for deriving an electric current from said battery.
An electrode suitable for use in an electrochemical cell having a proton donor electrolyte comprising the combination of a fulleride in intimate contact with a conductive material wherein the fulleride is in particulate form and the conductive material is also in particulate form and is in admixture with the fulleride particles.
The fullerene hydride compound C.sub.n H.sub.x, wherein C=carbon, H=hydrogen, n=a multiple of 2 that is at least 20, and x=a number from 1 to n, wherein the C.sub.n H.sub.x is produced by the electrochemical reaction C.sub.n +xH.sup.+ +xe.sup.- .fwdarw.C.sub.n H.sub.x, and which is characterized by an electrochemical activity sufficiently high so as to enable the hydrogen to be electrochemically releasable from the fullerene pursuant to the reaction C.sub.n H.sub.x .fwdarw.C.sub.n +xH.sup.+ +xe.sup.-.
An electrochemical assembly comprising the combination of a conductive material, a proton donor electrolyte and a fullerene in contact with both the conductive material and the proton donor electrolyte.
Fullerene hydride of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.x, wherein C=carbon, H=hydrogen, n=a multiple of 2 that is at least 20, and x=a number from 1 to n, which is characterized by an electrochemical activity sufficiently high so as to enable the hydrogen to be electrochemically releasable from the fullerene pursuant to the reaction C.sub.n H.sub.x .fwdarw.C.sub.n +xH.sup.+ +xe.sup.-.
An electrode structure comprising fullerene hydride of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.x wherein hydrogen is electrochemically releasable from the fullerene pursuant to the reaction C.sub.n H.sub.x .fwdarw.C.sub.n +xH.sup.+ +xe.sup.-, and a conductive material in electrical contact therewith.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.