Mfg. carbonised pyro:polymer impregnated with catalytic metal - by impregnating refractory oxide with organic cpd., pyrolysing and leaching the oxide

Catalytic material consists of a carbonised pyropolymer of large surface area impregnated with >=1 catalytically active metal to an amt. 5-5 wt.% w.r.t. the carbonised pyropolymer. The catalytically active metal is selected from Pt and Pd alone or Pt with Re or Rh and Pd with Ru. The catalytic compsn. is prepd. by first treating a refractory inorganic oxide with a pyrolysable inorganic cpd. in conditions of pyrolysis to form the carbonised pyropolymer on the surface of the refractory oxide. The oxide is then impregnated with a soluble salt of the catalytically active metal and the mixt. is leached to remove the refractory oxide using a strong acid, or base and the catalyst is recovered. Used as electrocatalysts for forming electrodes for use in an electrochemical cell, esp. a fuel cell. The catalyst exhibits an extended working life with improved stability.