Flake-resistant multilayer thin-film electrodes and electrolytic cells incorporating same

Abstract

Described are preferred multilayer, thin-film electrodes ( 11 ) that have improved resistance to flaking or cracking under conditions of operation. Also described are electrolytic cells ( 17 ) incorporating such electrodes ( 11 ), and methods for selecting electrode materials to facilitate reaction rates, energy production, and/or to shift the average mass number of transmuted products to lighter or heavier values. Preferred electrodes ( 11 ) have a plurality of thin-film conductive layers ( 14 ) supported on generally concave surfaces ( 13 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A concave-surface conductive article for use as an electrode, comprising an electrode substrate having at least one concave surface, and at least one thin-film conductive layer coated on said concave surface.  
     
     
         2 . A conductive article of  claim 1 , wherein said layer includes a metal selected from Table 1.  
     
     
         3 . A conductive article of  claim 2 , wherein the cuter surface of the outermost one of said thin conductive layers is coated with a hydrogen diffusion barrier.  
     
     
         4 . The conductive article of  claim 3 , wherein the hydrogen diffusion barrier includes a member selected from the group consisting silica, chromium, and iron.  
     
     
         5 . A conductive article of  claim 1 , including a plurality of said plurality of thin layers including alternating layers of two differing conductive materials selected from Table 1.  
     
     
         6 . A conductive article of  claim 2 , including a plurality of thin layers including alternating layers of two differing conductive materials selected from Table 1.  
     
     
         7 . A conductive article of  claim 1 , which is a pellet.  
     
     
         8 . A conductive article of  claim 7 , which is a hollow pellet.  
     
     
         9 . A conductive article of  claim 1 , which is a rod.  
     
     
         10 . A conductive article of  claim 1 , which is a fiber.  
     
     
         11 . A conductive article of  claim 1 , which is tubular.  
     
     
         12 . An electrolytic cell, comprising first and second electrodes, at least one of which includes a conductive article having an electrode substrate with at least one concave surface, and at least one thin conductive layer coated on said concave surface.  
     
     
         13 . A flake-resistant thin-film layer electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, comprising: 
 an electrode substrate including a surface; and    at least one thin conductive layer coated on said concave surface which is subjected to compressive force upon expansion of said thin conductive layer.    
     
     
         14 . An electrode of  claim 13 , wherein said conductive layer includes a metal selected from Table I.  
     
     
         15 . An electrode of  claim 14 , including a plurality of said thin layers.  
     
     
         16 . An electrode of  claim 15 , including alternating layers of at least two differing conductive materials selected from Table 1.  
     
     
         17 . A flake-resistant thin-film electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, comprising: 
 an electrode substrate;    a plurality of thin-film conductive layers coated on said electrode substrate; and    expansion gaps provided in said thin conductive layers so as to reduce flaking or cracking of the thin conductive layers when expanded.    
     
     
         18 . An electrode for an electrolytic cell, comprising alternating thin-film layers of two conductive materials, said conductive materials having a difference in Fermi energy levels of at least about 1 eV and substantial solubility and diffusivity for hydrogenous ions; said two conductive materials further providing an interface at which substantially no interdiffusion occurs.  
     
     
         19 . An electrode of  claim 18  wherein the conductive materials are selected to give sets of complex nuclei selected from those in FIG. 2 d.    
     
     
         20 . An electrode of  claim 19 , wherein the complex nuclei are selected to provide energy release, or to provide lower or higher mass reaction products.  
     
     
         21 . An electrode for an electrolytic cell, comprising a substrate and a first thin-film conductive layer on the substrate, the substrate and first thin film conductive layer having a difference in Fermi energy level of at least about 1 eV.  
     
     
         22 . An electrode of  claim 21  wherein the conductive material is selected to give sets of complex nuclei selected from those shown in FIG. 2 d.    
     
     
         23 . An electrode of  claim 22 , wherein the complex nuclei are selected to provide energy release, or to provide lower or higher mass reaction products.  
     
     
         24 . An electrode for an electrolytic cell, comprising a substrate and thin conductive layers with an outer thin coating selected to serve as a hydrogen diffusion barrier and have a difference in Fermi energy level relative to the underlying thin conductive layer of at least about 1 eV.  
     
     
         25 . An electrode of  claim 24  wherein the conductive layers include a conductive material selected to give sets of complex nuclei selected from those shown in FIG. 2 d.    
     
     
         26 . An electrode of  claim 25 , wherein the complex nuclei are selected to provide energy release, or to provide lower or higher mass reaction products.  
     
     
         27 . An electrolytic cell which comprises a first electrode including a bed of pellets, each having a thin-film conductive layer, said cell also having means for increasing on average the electric field strength on said thin-film conductive layer.  
     
     
         28 . An electrolytic cell including an anode, a bed of pellets each having a thin-film conductive layer, a first cathode member in electrical contact with an end of said bed of pellets, and a second cathode member in contact with said bed of pellets at a position intermediate to said first cathode member and said anode.  
     
     
         29 . A conductive pellet for use in a cathode in an electrolytic cell, comprising a substrate, a first layer including a metal selected from one of the Fermi level groups in Table I, and a second layer adjacent the first layer including a metal selected from a different Fermi level group in Table I.  
     
     
         30 . A conductive pellet of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of said layers includes a conductive material selected to give sets of complex nuclei selected from those shown in FIG. 2 d.    
     
     
         31 . A conductive pellet of  claim 30 , wherein the complex nuclei are selected to provide energy release, or to provide lower or higher mass reaction products.