Patent ID: 8647723

Claim:
A method of producing a fuel cell electrode, said method comprising: providing a porous carbon-based substrate material that is conductive to a free flow of electrons therethrough; and nucleating a metal film on said porous substrate material, said nucleating comprising: providing a layer of metal having a surface energy greater than about 2.5 J/m2 using at least one of ALD, CVD or PVD; and depositing a continuous, conformal layer of Pt or Pt alloy on the layer of metal using H2 plasma assisted ALD, the layer of Pt or Pt alloy having a thickness of less than about 4 nm such that said continuous, conformal layer of Pt or Pt alloy forms on said porous substrate material to define a catalytic surface of at least one of a fuel cell anode or a fuel cell cathode.