Novel materials for alkaline fuel cells

摘要

This invention describes the use of conducting porous graphite foam materials as electrodes, catalyst supports, gas diffusion layers and other components in alkaline (AFC) fuel cells and others such as the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The porous open structure of the graphite material is ideally suited to vapour deposition of catalyst materials. Porous graphite foams can be made by the pyrolysis of pitch at high temperatures. Alternatively they can be made by the pyrolysis of certain polymer compounds which can create a foam structure during the curing process. Although the exact microstructure of the final graphite foam depends on many factors, they all possess key physical properties which are relevant to the invention described here such as high thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity. The foam can also be used in its powdered form as a conductive additive to gas diffusion layers, electrodes and bi-polar plates.