Method for making oxygen-reducing catalyst layers
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsDennis P. O'Brien, Alison K. Schmoeckel, George D. Vernstrom, Radoslav Atanasoski, Thomas E. Wood, David G. O'Neill
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Abstract
Methods are provided for making oxygen-reducing catalyst layers, which include simultaneous or sequential stops of physical vapor depositing an oxygen-reducing catalytic material onto a substrate, the catalytic material comprising a transition metal that is substantially free of platinum; and thermally treating the catalytic material. At least one of the physical vapor deposition and the thermal treatment is performed in a processing environment comprising a nitrogen-containing gas.
Claims9
A method of making an oxygen-reducing catalyst layer, the method comprising:
- physical vapor depositing a catalytic material onto a substrate from a first target comprising a transition metal that is substantially free of platinum;
- and
- thermally treating the catalytic material, wherein at least one of the physical vapor deposition and the thermal treatment is performed in a processing environment comprising a nitrogen-containing gas;
- wherein the catalytic material is further physical vapor deposited onto the substrate from a second target comprising carbon, and
- wherein the physical vapor depositing from the first target and the second target are performed substantially simultaneously.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.