MICROPARTICLE-SUPPORTED CARBON PARTICLE, METHOD FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF, AND FUEL CELL ELECTRODE

摘要

Disclosed is a microparticle-supported carbon particle which can be used as an alternative to a platinum-supported carbon particle or a metal platinum particle which is currently used as a catalyst for a fuel cell electrode or the like and in which the amount of platinum used is largely reduced compared to that in a conventional platinum-supported carbon particle or the like. Also disclosed is an electrode for a fuel cell, which is manufactured using the microparticle-supported carbon particle. The microparticle-supported carbon particle comprises a carbon particle having an average particle diameter of 20 to 70 nm and a metal oxide microparticle supported on the carbon particle, wherein the metal oxide microparticle has an average crystallite diameter ranging from 1 to 20 nm and contains a noble metal element such as platinum element (the metal oxide microparticle is represented by the general formula: MOx, and the metal element (M) in the metal oxide microparticle is partly substituted by a noble metal element). The microparticle-supported carbon particle can be produced by a method comprising the steps of preparing a solution containing a complex ion of a metal constituting the metal oxide microparticle, dispersing a carbon particle in the solution to cause the adsorption of the complex ion onto the carbon particle, and performing hydrothermal treatment.