Alkaline fuel cell

• US 5,599,640 A
• Filed: 08/17/1995
• Issued: 02/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Inventors: Lee, Jon H., Kim, Dong M., Lee, Jai Y., Lee, Han H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willis, Jr., Prince
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANEY, CAROL DIANE
• Application Number:
  US08/516,328
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 429/27, 429/46, 429/206
• US Class Current: 429/421
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0014 Alkaline electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/383 Hydrogen absorbing alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8621 containing only metallic or ceramic material, e.g. made by sintering or sputtering
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/08 Fuel cells with aqueous electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/22 Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elements; Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell comprising an aqueous alkaline solution of electrolyte containing a hydrogen-releasing agent selected from the group consisting of NaBH4, KBH4, LiAlH4, KH and NaH, an oxygen electrode as a cathode and a hydrogen storage alloy electrode as an anode.

Claims

1. A fuel cell comprising:

a) an aqueous alkaline solution of an electrolyte containing a hydrogen-releasing agent selected from the group consisting of NaBH₄, KBH₄, LiAlH₄, KH and NaH,

b) a hydrogen storage alloy anode, and

c) an oxygen cathode.

2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein said alkaline electrolyte comprises KOH or NaOH.

3. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said alkaline electrolyte further comprises LiOH.

4. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said hydrogen-releasing agent is used in an amount of 0.01 to 50.00% by weight on the basis of the total weight of said alkaline solution of electrolyte.

5. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein said hydrogen storage alloy anode is selected from the group consisting of AB₅ Misch metallic alloy, an AB₂ Zirconium (Zr) alloy, and an AB₂ Titanium (Ti) alloy.

6. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein said oxygen cathode is a carbon electrode, a platinum-dispersed carbon electrode, or a nickel electrode.