Hydrogen recombination catalyst

Details Hydrogen recombination catalyst Hydrogen recombination catalyst

2000-06-28

2001-12-25

Chaney, Carol (Department: 1745)

Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and

Sealed cell having gas prevention or elimation means

C429S206000, C429S209000, C429S217000, C429S219000, C429S220000, C429S232000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06333123

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to batteries.
BACKGROUND
Batteries, such as primary alkaline batteries, are commonly used as energy sources. Generally, alkaline batteries include a cathode, an anode, a separator, and an electrolytic solution. The cathode can include, for example, manganese dioxide particles as the active material, carbon particles that enhance the conductivity of the cathode, and a binder. The anode may be, for example, a gel including zinc particles as the active material. The separator is disposed between the cathode and the anode. The electrolytic solution can be, for example, a hydroxide solution that is dispersed throughout the battery.
When a battery is used as an electrical energy source in a device, such as a flashlight or a cellular telephone, electrical contact is made to the anode and the cathode, allowing electrons to flow through the device and permitting the respective oxidation and reduction reactions to occur to provide electrical power. An electrolyte in contact with the anode and the cathode contains ions that flow through the separator between the electrodes to maintain charge balance throughout the battery during discharge. Mercury and other metals such as lead and cadmium often are added to the anode to reduce the levels of hydrogen gas produced during the electrochemical reaction of the battery.
SUMMARY
In general, the invention relates to a hydrogen recombination catalyst for alkaline electrochemical cells. Alkaline electrochemical cells including hydrogen recombination catalysts have reduced hydrogen gassing.
In one aspect, the invention features an alkaline battery including a cathode, an anode, a separator, an alkaline electrolyte, and a hydrogen recombination catalyst. The hydrogen recombination catalyst includes a hydrogen oxidizing material, such as CuO, and an activating material. The activating material includes a first activating component and a second activating component. The components of the activating material can be Pd, Pt, Ru metals or salts thereof.
In another aspect, the invention features a hydrogen recombination catalyst including a hydrogen oxidizing material and an activating material including a first activating component and a second activating component. The hydrogen recombination catalyst can include a Pd, Pt, Ru metal or a salt thereof as the activating material and CuO as the hydrogen oxidizing material.
The hydrogen recombination catalyst preferably oxidizes hydrogen at a rate at least about 0.5 standard cubic centimeter (scc) per gram of hydrogen recombination catalyst per day. The hydrogen recombination catalyst preferably can oxidize hydrogen at this rate for at least 130 days. More preferably, the hydrogen recombination catalyst preferably can oxidize hydrogen at this rate for at least 240 days.
Embodiments of the invention may have one or more of the following advantages. The hydrogen recombination catalyst including a first activating material component and a second activating material component oxidizes hydrogen at a rate equal to the H
2
oxidation rate produced by a hydrogen recombination catalyst including only one activating material component but at reduced cost.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3893870 (1975-07-01), Kozawa
patent: 3896042 (1975-07-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 3939006 (1976-02-01), Kozawa
patent: 3963826 (1976-06-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 4552821 (1985-11-01), Gibbard et al.
patent: 5340666 (1994-08-01), Tomantchger et al.
patent: 5626988 (1997-05-01), Daniel-Ivad et al.
patent: 6054108 (2000-04-01), Eckardt et al.
Kozawa; Hydrogen Gas Absorber Made of MnO2Catalyzed with Palladium or Platinum Salts,Denki Kagaku46:416-418, 1978.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Hydrogen recombination catalyst does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Hydrogen recombination catalyst, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hydrogen recombination catalyst will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2590077