Fuel cell catalyst treatment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9484582-B2
Application number	US-201314650846-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 8, 2013
Priority date	Jan 8, 2013
Publication date	Nov 1, 2016
Grant date	Nov 1, 2016

Abstract

According to an embodiment, a method of preparing a catalyst for a fuel cell component includes soaking catalyst particles in citric acid. The catalyst particles are then rinsed after having been soaked in the citric acid. Catalyst particles are dried after they have been rinsed. When desired, the pre-treated catalyst particles may be incorporated into a catalyst ink used for making a fuel cell component.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method of preparing a catalyst for a fuel cell component, comprising the steps of:
soaking catalyst particles comprising Pt 0 in citric acid; and
rinsing the catalyst particles after the soaking.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the soaking comprises
mixing the catalyst particles in a liquid; and
adding the citric acid to the liquid.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the liquid comprises water.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the soaking comprises
mixing the catalyst particles in a first portion of the water;
dissolving citric acid in a second portion of the water; and
mixing the first and second portions of water.

5. The method of claim 1 , comprising
including a first amount of the catalyst particles; and
including a second amount of the citric acid, wherein the second amount is greater than the first amount.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rinsing comprises
filtering the catalyst particles;
rinsing the filtered catalyst particles with water.

7. The method of claim 6 , comprising
repeating the filtering and rinsing with water a plurality of times.

8. The method of claim 1 , comprising
drying the rinsed catalyst particles; and
preparing a catalyst ink using the dried catalyst particles.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the drying comprises
heating the catalyst particles at a temperature of approximately 50° C. for a period of approximately 3 days.

10. The method of claim 1 , comprising
preparing a mixture of the catalyst particles, the citric acid and water;
stirring the mixture;
removing the catalyst particles from the mixture;
rinsing the removed catalyst particles; and
drying the rinsed catalyst particles.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst particles comprise Pt 0 supported on carbon.

12. A catalyst prepared by the method, comprising the steps of:
soaking catalyst particles comprising Pt 0 in citric acid; and
rinsing the catalyst particles after the soaking.

13. The catalyst of claim 12 , wherein the soaking comprises
mixing the catalyst particles in a liquid; and
adding the citric acid to the liquid.

14. The catalyst of claim 13 , wherein the liquid comprises water.

15. The catalyst of claim 14 , wherein the soaking comprises
mixing the catalyst particles in a first portion of the water;
dissolving citric acid in a second portion of the water; and
mixing the first and second portions of water.

16. The catalyst of claim 12 , wherein the method comprises
including a first amount of the catalyst particles; and
including a second amount of the citric acid, wherein the second amount is approximately 5 times greater than the first amount.

17. The catalyst of claim 12 , wherein the rinsing comprises
filtering the catalyst particles;
rinsing the filtered catalyst particles with water.

18. The catalyst of claim 17 , wherein the method comprises
repeating the filtering and rinsing with water a plurality of times.

19. The catalyst of claim 12 , wherein the method comprises
drying the rinsed catalyst particles; and
preparing a catalyst ink using the dried catalyst particles.

20. The catalyst of claim 19 , wherein the drying comprises
heating the catalyst particles at a temperature of approximately 50° C. for a period of approximately 3 days.

21. The catalyst of claim 12 , wherein the method comprises
preparing a mixture of the catalyst particles, the citric acid and water;
stirring the mixture;
removing the catalyst particles from the mixture;
rinsing the removed catalyst particles; and
drying the rinsed catalyst particles.

22. The catalyst of claim 12 , wherein the catalyst particles comprise Pt 0 supported on carbon.

Assignees

• Audi Ag

Inventors

• Marzullo Jesse M
• Izzo Elise Lorraine
• Darling Robert Mason

Classifications

• H01M4/88 Primary

  Processes of manufacture · CPC title

• H01M4/926

  on carbon or graphite · CPC title

• H01M4/9083 Primary

  on carbon or graphite · CPC title

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title