Peroxide decomposition catalyst particles

Abstract

A catalytically active component is provided which comprises particles containing a metal oxide such as silica, metal or metalloid ions such as ions that include boron, and a catalyst. When introduced into the membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell, the particles increase peroxide radical resistance in a membrane electrode.

Description

Claims

1. Particles for increasing the hydrogen peroxide radical resistance in a membrane electrode assembly comprising: a metal oxide from the group of alumina, silica, TiO2, Ti2O3, zirconium oxide, manganese dioxide, manganese oxide, Y2O3, Fe2O3, FeO, tin oxide, copper oxide, nickel oxide, tungsten oxide, germania, CeO2, Ce2O3, and combinations thereof,a stabilizer from the group of metal ions and metalloid ions, and combinations thereof, andat least one catalyst different from the stabilizer and selected from the group of cerium and ruthenium.

2. The particles of claim 1 wherein the stabilizer is one or more ions containing an element from the group of aluminum, boron, tungsten, titanium, zirconium and vanadium.

3. The particles of claim 1 wherein the particles are colloidal particles having a mean particle diameter of less than 200 nanometers.

4. The particles of claim 3 wherein the colloidal particles contain silica.

5. The particles of claim 3 wherein the metal and metalloid ions include boron ions.

6. The particles of claim 1 wherein the particles are colloidal particles having a mean particle diameter of less than 100 nanometers.

7. The particles of claim 6 wherein the colloidal particles contain silica and boron ions.

8. The particles of claim 1 wherein the particles are colloidal particles have a mean particle diameter of less than 25 nanometers.

9. The particles of claim 8 wherein the colloidal particles contain silica and boron ions.