Silicon-based fuel cell electrode structures

• US 7,198,864 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2004
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: XNRGI, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Ohlsen, Leroy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crepeau; Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US10/996,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20050089748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 429/40, 429/44
• US Class Current: 429/532
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8605 Porous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8647 consisting of more than one material, e.g. consisting of composites
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/921 Alloys or mixtures with metallic elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/023 Porous and characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0245 in the form of layered or coated products
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0258 characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/026 characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1004 characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA] H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1011 Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2483 characterised by internal manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

Fuels cells, electrode assemblies, and electrodes that comprise silicon and/or sol-gel derived support structures, as well as to methods relating thereto, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an electrode assembly adapted for use with a fuel cell comprises: an anode derived from a first planar silicon substrate; an electrolyte; a cathode derived from a second planar silicon substrate; wherein the anode and the cathode are parallel to each other and separated by an interstitial region comprising the electrolyte. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to electrode adapted for use with a fuel cell, wherein the electrode comprises a silicon substrate that functions as a current conductor, wherein the silicon substrate has a plurality of pores that define pore surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the pore surfaces have a catalyst thereon, wherein the catalyst is derived from one or more metallic precursors chemisorbed onto at least the pore surfaces.

Claims

1. An electrode, comprising:

a silicon support structure having a plurality of porous regions that define pore surfaces; and

a catalyst dispersed on the pore surfaces.

2. An electrode, comprising:

a silicon support structure having a plurality of random parallel pores that define pore surfaces; and

a catalyst dispersed on the pore surfaces.