Methods for forming magnetically modified electrodes and articles produced thereby

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods for making magnetically modified electrodes and electrodes made according to the method. Such electrode are useful as electrodes in batteries, such as Ni-MH batteries, Ni—Cd batteries, Ni—Zn batteries and Ni—Fe batteries.

1 - 52 . (canceled) 
   
   
       53 . A magnetically modified electrode, which comprises: a substrate and a coating layer formed on said substrate, wherein said coating layer comprises particles capable of generating electrochemical energy in the presence of a magnetic field and magnetic particles. 
   
   
       54 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 53 , wherein said substrate comprises a member selected from the group consisting of metals, carbon, zinc, semiconductors, semimetals, magnetic materials and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       55 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 53 , wherein said substrate comprises nickel. 
   
   
       56 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 53 , wherein said particles capable of generating electrochemical energy in the presence of a magnetic field are selected from the group consisting of nickel hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, cobalt oxide, manganese oxide, lithium, lithium hydroxide and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       57 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 53 , wherein said magnetic particles are selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, samarium cobalt, neodymium-iron-boron or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       58 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 56 , wherein said magnetic particles are selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, samarium cobalt, neodymium-iron-boron or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       59 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 58 , wherein said substrate comprises a member selected from the group consisting of metals, carbon, zinc, semiconductors, semimetals, magnetic materials and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       60 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 53 , wherein said coating layer further comprises a binder. 
   
   
       61 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 60 , wherein said binder is selected from the group consisting of polymers, KOH, NaOH, LiOH, fatty acids, liposomes and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       62 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 60 , wherein said binder is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxy methylcellulose, methyl cellulose and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       63 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 53 , wherein at least a portion of said magnetic particles comprises a coating of an inert material. 
   
   
       64 . The method according to  claim 63 , wherein said inert material is selected from the group consisting of silanes, polystyrene and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       65 - 67 . (canceled) 
   
   
       68 . A magnetically modified electrode, which comprises: a magnetic substrate and a coating layer formed on said substrate, wherein said coating layer comprises particles capable of generating electrochemical energy in the presence of a magnetic field. 
   
   
       69 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 68 , wherein said substrate comprises a member selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, samarium cobalt, neodymium-iron-boron and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       70 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 68 , wherein said particles capable of generating electrochemical energy in the presence of a magnetic field are selected from the group consisting of nickel hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, cobalt oxide, manganese oxide, lithium, lithium hydroxide and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       71 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 68 , wherein said coating layer further comprises magnetic particles. 
   
   
       72 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 71 , wherein said magnetic particles are selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, samarium cobalt, neodymium-iron-boron or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       73 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 71 , wherein at least a portion of said magnetic particles comprise a coating of an inert material. 
   
   
       74 . The method according to  claim 73 , wherein said inert material is selected from the group consisting of silanes, polystyrene and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       75 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 63 , wherein said coating layer further comprises a binder. 
   
   
       76 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 75 , wherein said binder is selected from the group consisting of polymers, polymers, KOH, NaOH, LiOH, fatty acids, liposomes and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       77 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 75 , wherein said binder is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxy methylcellulose, methyl cellulose and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       78 . A battery comprising a magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 58 . 
   
   
       79 - 80 . (canceled) 
   
   
       81 . A magnetically modified electrode, which comprises: a substrate and a coating layer formed on said substrate, wherein said coating layer comprises particles capable of generating electrochemical energy in the presence of a magnetic field and further wherein said particles capable of generating electrochemical energy in the presence of a magnetic field are subjected to an external magnetic field before, during or after said coating layer is formed on said substrate. 
   
   
       82 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 81 , wherein said substrate comprises a member selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, samarium cobalt, neodymium-iron-boron and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       83 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 81 , wherein said substrate comprises a member selected from the group consisting of nickel, carbon, zinc, semiconductors, semimetals, magnetic materials and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       84 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 81 , wherein said particles capable of generating electrochemical energy in the presence of a magnetic field are selected from the group consisting of nickel hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, cobalt oxide, manganese oxide, lithium, lithium hydroxide and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       85 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 81 , wherein said coating layer further comprises magnetic particles. 
   
   
       86 . The magnetically modified electrodes according to  claim 85 , wherein said magnetic particles are selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, samarium cobalt, neodynium-iron-boron and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       87 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 85 , wherein at least a portion of said magnetic particles comprise a coating of an inert material. 
   
   
       88 . The method according to  claim 87 , wherein said inert material is selected from the group consisting of silanes, polystyrene and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       89 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 81 , wherein said coating layer further comprises a binder. 
   
   
       90 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 89 , wherein said binder is selected from the group consisting of polymers, KOH, NaOH, LiOH, fatty acids, liposomes and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       91 . The magnetically modified electrode according to  claim 89 , wherein said binder is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxy methylcellulose, methyl cellulose and combinations thereof 
   
   
       92 - 94 . (canceled)