Magnetic composites and methods for improved electrolysis

• US 5,981,095 A
• Filed: 01/28/1999
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
• Original Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
• Inventors: Leddy, Johna, Amarasinghe, Sudath, Zook, Lois Anne
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell, Bruce F.
• Application Number:
  US09/239,156
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 429/10, 429/12, 429/13, 429/17, 429/19
• US Class Current: 429/424
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/00 Magnetic separation
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/01 by addition of magnetic adjuvants
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/025 High gradient magnetic separators
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/034 characterised by the matrix elements
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/035 Open gradient magnetic separators, i.e. separators in which the gap is unobstructed, characterised by the configuration of the gap
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 25/00 Nanomagnetism, e.g. magnetoimpedance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 24/00 Coating starting from inorganic powder spraying of the coating material in molten state C23C4/00; solid state diffusion C23C8/00 - C23C12/00
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 24/08 by application of heat or pressure and heat C23C24/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 30/00 Coating with metallic material characterised only by the composition of the metallic material, i.e. not characterised by the coating process C23C26/00, C23C28/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 4/12 characterised by the method of spraying
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 6/00 Coating by casting molten material on the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 5/007 Electroplating using magnetic fields, e.g. magnets
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 7/001 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 9/12 by absorption; by adsorption; by ion-exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 1/0027 Thick magnetic films forming thick magnetic films H01F41/16
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 1/0054 Coated nanoparticles, e.g. nanoparticles coated with organic surfactant
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 1/009 bidimensional, e.g. nanoscale period nanomagnet arrays H01F10/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 1/37 in a bonding agent
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 10/007 ultrathin or granular films H01F10/005 and H01F10/3227 take precedence; applying ultrathin or granular layers to substrates H01F41/301
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/24 : from liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/26 : using electric currents , e.g. electroplating
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/301 : for applying ultrathin or granular layers ultrathin or granular layers H01F10/007
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 : Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0082 : Organic polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/02 : Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/86 : Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8605 : Porous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8657 : layered
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8803 : Supports for the deposition of the catalytic active composition H01M4/90 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8857 : Casting, e.g. tape casting, vacuum slip casting
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8878 : Treatment steps after deposition of the catalytic active composition or after shaping of the electrode being free-standing body
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8882 : Heat treatment, e.g. drying, baking
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/9016 : Oxides, hydroxides or oxygenated metallic salts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/9083 : on carbon or graphite
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/926 : on carbon or graphite
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/124 : having a layered structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/1245 : characterised by the external coating on the casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/00 : Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1004 : characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA] H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1009 : with one of the reactants being liquid, solid or liquid-charged H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/249 : comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2991 : Coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2998 : including synthetic resin or polymer

Abstract

Magnetic composites exhibit distinct flux properties due to gradient interfaces. The composites can be used to improve fuel cells and batteries and effect transport and separation of different chemical species. Devices utilizing the composites include an electrode and improved fuel cells and batteries. Some composites, disposed on the surface of electrodes, prevent passivation of those electrodes and enable direct reformation of liquid fuels. Methods involving these composites provide distinct ways for these composites to be utilized.

Claims

1. A method for direct reformation of a fuel at the surface of a magnetically modified electrode of a fuel cell, comprising the steps of:

providing the fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell has at least one magnetically modified electrode, the magnetically modified electrode having a surface coating of a magnetic composite material, the magnetic composite material comprising magnetic particles, an ion exchange polymer, and catalyst; and

delivering the fuel to the magnetically modified electrode, wherein the fuel is reformed directly at the electrode, and the surface coating of the magnetic composite material prevents passivation of the electrode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said delivering step comprises delivering one of a liquid fuel, a gaseous fuel, and a fuel mixture to the magnetically modified electrode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said delivering step comprises delivering one of methanol, ethanol, and propane to the magnetically modified electrode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said delivering step comprises pumping one of a liquid fuel and a gaseous fuel to the magnetically modified electrode.