Patent ID: 7476460
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: B01D,C23C,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell, comprising: at least one electrode operatively disposed in the fuel cell; and an electrolyte in electrochemical contact with the at least one electrode; wherein the electrode includes a metal oxide film established on a substrate selected from single crystal silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and silicon oxide containing dielectric substrates, the metal oxide film having at least one crack formed therein during a process for forming the metal oxide film, the process comprising the steps of: combining the first solution and the second solution at a predetermined ratio to form a third solution; heating the substrate having the third solution layer thereon at a temperature sufficient to oxidize the at least one metal salt to form the solution-based metal oxide film; wherein the presence of the at least one crack in the metal oxide film enhances the surface area of the metal oxide film for one or more catalytic reactions in the fuel cell.