Electrocatalytic structure

A method of forming a dispersion of discrete particles of catalytic material in a SiO.sub.x C.sub.y H.sub.z matrix comprising:

• (a). plasma polymerizing an organosilicone monomer onto the surface of a substrate to form a thin film of SiO.sub.x C.sub.y H.sub.z polymer, and
• (b). vacuum depositing a catalyst material as a layer of discrete particles onto the film of (a), and (c) repeating at least step (a) to form a second film of SiO.sub.x C.sub.y H.sub.z polymer over the discrete particles.

In an electrolytic cell article having an anode and catalytic particles in an anode compartment and a cathode and catalytic particles in an cathode compartment, the improvement comprising as the source of catalytic particles a thin film composed of a SiO.sub.x C.sub.y H.sub.z matrix having dispersed therein a catalytic quantity of non-supported discrete particles of a catalytic material.

A fuel cell for generating electricity from a reaction between a fuel source and an oxidant source, the fuel cell comprising a first porous gas diffusion electrode, a second porous gas diffusion electrode, the second electrode defining an electric field with the first electrode, an electrocatalytic material in contact with said first electrode, an electrocatalytic material in contact with the second electrode and an electrolyte disposed between the first and second electrodes and in electronic contact with both catalyst materials, the improvement comprising:

• as the catalyst material, a thin film of SiO.sub.x C.sub.y H.sub.z matrix having dispersed therein a catalytic quantity of non-supported discrete particles of a catalytic material, said discrete particles having an average particle size in the vertical direction of less than about 10 nm.