A catalyst selected from the group consisting of noble metals, transition metals, lanthanide series metals, mixtures and alloys thereof, which have limited activity because of absorbed halide ions, may be employed in electrodes of a fuel cell containing a halide ion free acid electrolyte provided that, prior to its operation in the fuel cell, the catalyst has been treated with a basic solution having a pH in the range of 8 to 14 for a period of time sufficient to desorb the halide ions.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 394,622, filed Sept. 4, 1964, now abandoned.
A novel catalyst comprises an alloy of a noble metal and vanadium. The catalyst is particularly useful in an electrochemical cell cathode electrode. The method for making the alloy involves reacting a vanadium compound with sodium dithionite to form a sol of a finely dispersed vanadium sulfite complex, and then reacting noble metal particles with the complex in a reducing environment.
A novel and improved noble metal-chromium alloy catalyst is disclosed with catalytic oxygen reduction activity at least twice that of the unalloyed noble metal. The noble metal-chromium alloy catalyst disclosed has particular utility as an electrocatalyst for the reduction of oxygen which makes it particularly useful as a cathode catalyst in an acid fuel cell.
A novel and improved noble metal-chromium alloy catalyst is disclosed with catalytic oxygen reduction activity at least twice that of the unalloyed noble metal. The noble metal-chromium alloy catalyst disclosed has particular utility as an electrocatalyst for the reduction of oxygen which makes it particularly useful as a cathode catalyst in an acid fuel cell.
A catalyst composition and method for oxidizing fuels is disclosed. The catalyst composition comprises at least one compound having one of a group III, group IIA or Lanthanide element such as, for example, Aluminum, Magnesium or Cesium, and at least one compound having at least one element selected from group IA, group IVA, group VI, group VII, group VIII, group IB, group IIB, and combinations thereof, such as, for example platinum, rhodium and rhenium. A method for oxidizing an fuel, the method comprising providing a fuel and a catalyst mixture; transporting the fuel and the catalyst to the flame zone separately; mixing the fuel and the catalyst; and oxidizing the fuel. The method and catalyst mixture may be used for oxidation of any hydrocarbon based fuel. Improved results from the use of the group III, group IIA or Lanthanide group element include increased power, reduced harmful emissions, and smoother oxidation process.
