Methods and apparatus for the oxidation of glucose molecules

• US 20020125146A1
• Filed: 11/28/2001
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University Of Hong Kong Research Consulting (Shenzhen), Ltd.
• Original Assignee: University of Hong Kong (Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)
• Inventors: Tseung, Alfred C.C., Zhang, Xin, Lam, Chung Man, You, Jin Kua, Chan, Kwong-Yu, Shen, Pei Kang
• Granted Patent: US 7,419,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 205/792
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/087 employing electric or magnetic energy
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0811 employing three electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0828 Wires
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0841 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0877 Liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0892 involving catalytically active material
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 23/8913 Cobalt and noble metals
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 37/348 Electrochemical processes, e.g. electrochemical deposition or anodisation
• CPC Class Codes: C07B 33/00 Oxidation in general
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 3/23 Oxidation halogenation C25B3/27
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8657 layered
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/921 Alloys or mixtures with metallic elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/925 supported on carriers, e.g. powder carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/083 Alkaline fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A catalyst comprising Pt—Co alloy, or Pt—Co—Sn alloy or Pt—Co_mO_n mixed metal oxides is disclosed to be used as a catalyst for the direct electrochemical oxidation of glucose or other simple sugars and carbohydrates at room temperature. The catalyst can be supported on metal electrodes, graphite electrodes, porous carbon electrodes, or gas diffusion electrodes. An electrode containing this catalyst will be used as the key component in a direct glucose-air fuel cell operating in alkaline media with a good room temperature performance. This catalyst can also be applied as a key electrode material in a glucose sensor to detect glucose concentration in neutral or alkaline medium. The preparation method of the catalyst, optimum composition, and results of glucose sensor and glucose fuel cell applications are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for catalytically oxidizing organic molecules comprising:

passing a solution containing organic molecules over a catalyst to catalyze the oxidation of the organic molecules in the solution, said catalyst comprising a discrete mixture of platinum particles and cobalt particles.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said catalyst is supported on an electrode.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the solution containing organic molecules is a glucose solution.

4. A method for catalytically oxidizing organic molecules comprising:

passing a solution containing organic molecules over an electrode to catalyze the oxidation of the organic molecules in the solution, said electrode comprising a discrete mixture of platinum particles and cobalt particles.

5. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein the solution containing organic molecules is a glucose solution.

6. An apparatus for catalyzing the oxidation of organic molecules, said apparatus comprising:

an electrode structure having a surface defined by a discrete mixture of platinum particles and cobalt particles.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said platinum is present in an amount within the range of about 52 to about 99 weight percent of the total weight of the composition.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said cobalt is present in an amount within the range of about 48 to about 1 weight percent of the total weight of the composition.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said composition further comprises metal oxides of said cobalt.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said metal oxides of said cobalt are the products of reactive electrodeposition.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said cobalt is present in an oxidation state of 0, 2, 8/3 or 3.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said composition further comprises Sn in an amount not greater than about 10 atom percent of the total composition.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said composition further comprises a mixture of carbon and polytetrafluoroethylene.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrode is a metal electrode.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrode is a metal foam electrode.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrode is a graphite electrode.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrode is a porous carbon electrode.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrode is a flooded electrode.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrode is an anode in an electrochemical device.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrode is part of a fuel cell.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrode is part of a reactor used to synthesize gluconic acid.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrode is part of a glucose sensor.

24. The electrode structure as defined in claim 23 wherein said coating further comprises cobalt oxides.

27. The electrode structure as defined in claim 26 wherein said nickel current collector is comprised of nickel foam.

28. The electrode structure as defined in claim 26 wherein said nickel current collector is comprised of nickel mesh.

30. The method as defined in claim 29 wherein said catalyst is supported on an electrode.

23. An electrode structure comprising:

a platinum wire having a coating, said coating comprising a discrete mixture of platinum particles and cobalt particles.

25. An electrode structure comprising:

a platinum wire having a coating, said coating comprising cobalt particles.

26. An electrode structure comprising:

a nickel current collector having a coating, said coating comprising a mixture of activated carbon, acetylene black, PTFE and a catalyst, said catalyst comprising a discrete mixture of platinum particles and cobalt particles.

29. A method for catalytically oxidizing glucose comprising:

passing a solution containing glucose molecules over a catalyst to catalyze the oxidation of the glucose molecules in the solution, said catalyst comprising a discrete mixture of platinum particles and cobalt particles.

31. A method for catalytically oxidizing glucose comprising:

passing a solution containing glucose molecules over an electrode to catalyze the oxidation of the glucose molecules in the solution, said electrode comprising a discrete mixture of platinum particles and cobalt particles.

32. An apparatus for catalyzing the oxidation of glucose molecules, said apparatus comprising:

an electrode structure having a surface defined by a discrete mixture of platinum particles and cobalt particles.

33. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said platinum is present in an amount within the range of about 52 to about 99 weight percent of the total weight of the composition.

34. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said cobalt is present in an amount within the range of about 48 to about 1 weight percent of the total weight of the composition.

35. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said composition further comprises metal oxides of said cobalt.

36. An apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein said metal oxides of said cobalt are the products of reactive electrodeposition.

37. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said cobalt is present in an oxidation state of 0, 2, 8/3 or 3.

38. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said composition further comprises Sn in an amount not greater than about 10 atom percent of the total composition.

39. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said composition further comprises a mixture of carbon and polytetrafluoroethylene.

40. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said electrode is a metal electrode.

41. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said electrode is a metal foam electrode.

42. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said electrode is a graphite electrode.

43. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said electrode is a porous carbon electrode.

44. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said electrode is a flooded electrode.

45. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said electrode is an anode in an electrochemical device.

46. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said electrode is part of a fuel cell.

47. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said electrode is part of a reactor used to synthesize gluconic acid.

48. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said electrode is part of a glucose sensor.