PLATINUM ALLOY ELECTRODE CATALYST AND ELECTRODE FOR ACIDIC ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL USING SAME

PURPOSE:To obtain an electrode for an acidic electrolyte fuel cell which is extremely excellent in performance and stability in a long period by supporting a platinum alloy electrode catalyst wherein alloy contg. Pt, Fe and Co of the specified amount is dispersed on a carrier to an electrically-conductive and acid resistant supporting member. CONSTITUTION:Alloy contg. 40-80atom% Pt, 10-40atom% Fe and 10-40atom% Co is dispersed and deposited on a carrier by bringing a powdery carrier such as electrically-conductive carbon black into contact with an aq. soln. or suspension contg. metallic compd. of each component and thereafter heat-treating it in the presence of a suitable reducing agent. This alloy catalyst is mixed with a binder consisting of acid resistant polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene suspension and the mixture is settled on an electrically- conductive supporting member such as a nickel net which is preliminarily subjected to moistureproof treatment by the same acid resistant polymer material and calcined in air. The obtained electrode of the alloy catalyst evidently shows high stability in comparison with the electrode of a conventional single platinum catalyst and a platinum alloy catalyst.