Electrochemically active composition, methods of making, and uses thereof

• US 8,124,556 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2009
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metso Outotec Finland OY (Metso Outotec Oyj)
• Original Assignee: Freeport-Mcmoran Corporation (Freeport-Mcmoran Copper & Gold Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sandoval, Scot P, Waite, Michael D, Clayton, Casey J
• Primary Examiner(s): BELL, BRUCE F
• Application Number:
  US12/432,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20090288958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 204/284, 204/286.1, 204/290.01, 204/290.14, 204/290.12, 204/290.03, 204/290.08, 204/290.09, 204/290.1, 204/290.13, 204/291, 502/101, 427/77, 427/126.3, 427/126.5, 427/372.2, 427/383.3, 427/383.7
• US Class Current: 502/101
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 18/1216 Metal oxides C23C18/1212 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 18/1225 Deposition of multilayers of inorganic material
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 11/091 consisting of at least one catalytic element and at least one catalytic compound; consisting of two or more catalytic elements or catalytic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 11/093 at least one noble metal or noble metal oxide and at least one non-noble metal oxide
• CPC Class Codes: C25C 1/12 of copper
• CPC Class Codes: C25C 7/02 Electrodes consumable anodes for the refining the metals C25C1/00 - C25C5/00; Connections thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/027 Negative electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8652 as mixture
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8657 layered
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/9016 Oxides, hydroxides or oxygenated metallic salts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0247 characterised by the form characterised by a channel configuration H01M8/0258
• 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

Abstract

Accordingly, in various embodiments, the present invention provides methods for making electrochemically active materials. Methods include making an electrochemically active material by reacting a platinum group metal salt in a organic solvent to yield a mixture, then heating the mixture to create a metal-organic solvent complex and an acid, followed by removing at least a portion of the acid, and yielding an electrochemically active material comprising the metal-organic solvent complex. In an exemplary embodiment, the resulting electrochemically active material may be used for coating an electrode.

Claims

1. A method of making an electrode, the method comprising:

coating at least a portion of a conductive substrate with a mixture comprising an iridium-methylethylketone complex, tantalum, and a solvent;

heating said conductive substrate coated with said mixture; and

oxidizing said iridium into at least one of an amorphous phase, a crystalline phase, and combinations thereof.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising coupling said conductive substrate to at least one conductive rod.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising attaching said at least one conductive rod to a hanger bar.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising vaporizing essentially all of said methylethylketone.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said heating said conductive substrate coated with said mixture is to a temperature between about 450°

C. and about 550°

C.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said heating said conductive substrate coated with said mixture is to a temperature between about 360°

C. and about 440°

C.

7. A method of making an electrode, the method comprising:

coating at least a portion of a conductive substrate with a mixture comprising an iridium-methylethylketone complex, tantalum, and a solvent;

heating said conductive substrate coated with said mixture; and

oxidizing said iridium into at least one of an amorphous phase, a crystalline phase, and combinations thereof,

wherein said conductive substrate is coupled to a conductive rod.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the conductive rod comprises titanium clad copper.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising attaching said conductive rod to a hanger bar.

10. A method of making an electrode, the method comprising:

coating at least a portion of a conductive substrate with a mixture comprising an iridium-methylethylketone complex, tantalum, and a solvent;

heating said conductive substrate coated with said mixture; and

oxidizing said iridium into an amorphous phase,

wherein said conductive substrate is coupled to a conductive rod.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the conductive rod comprises titanium clad copper.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising attaching said conductive rod to a hanger bar.