Thomas, Thomas Ronald; Badyal, Jas Pal Singh;

Porous metal composite body

Microporous polytetrafluoroethylene is metallised with 1 micron platinum, which is plasma-oxygenated then plasma-hydrogenated, whereby to increase the surface area of the platinum. The resulting composite body has applications as a catalyst or electrode.

• Integrated buffing and grinding system Casting investment compounds
• Conical stent Bomb and bomb liner
• Electrophotographic light-sensitive material Guanine Cytosine (GC)-rich DNA/PNA microbolometer
• Facemask harness Athletic flooring system
• Variable color intensity laser printing Pivoting circuit breaker load terminal
• Video signal processing device Bathtub-bathseat
• Passive solar heat collector Multiple frequency cleaning system
• Intelligent key display Magnetic brush support member
• Drilling fluid processing system Transducing head for tape drive
• Pressing arrangement Heat exchanger
• ITU/TDD modem Seat sliding device for vehicle
• Pumpable water-containing surfactant concentrates Reversible automatic cell bypass circuit
• Vehicle exhaust gas analysis system Coke quenching apparatus
• Driving power transmission system Brassiere
• Portable barbecue system Bulk shipping container
• Polyolefin/conductive carbon composites Low-power integrated circuit memory
• Interactive display system Discharge device for hoppers
• Solid state image pickup apparatus Address translation apparatus
• Transcutaneous energy transfer device Vehicle roof structure
• Self-starting multifuel rotary piston engine Winding for linear pump
• Bladder for water gun Buttoning device
• Milled liquid developer Combustion gas pressure generator
• Clamp nut and collet chuck Wafer polishing apparatus
• Magnetic tape Process for purifying tetrachlorophthalic anhydride
• Color image forming apparatus Capacity control device for compressor
• Fuel pump assembly Polyester fiber process
• Insulated container Proportioner
• Address code arrangements Satellite communications system
• Pump dispenser having vent valve Quaternary alkynoxymethyl amines
• Floor cleaning machine and method Wall module system
• Teleradiology system Sulfate scale dissolution
• Triazole antifungal agents

We claim:

1. A method of making a porous Gp VIII metal composite body, comprising:

metallising a porous substrate with a Group VIII metal,

oxidising the metallized porous substrate in the gas phase by oxidative plasma, and then

reducing the metallized porous substrate in the gas phase by reducing plasma.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is ceramic or polymeric.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is a fluoropolymer.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the body is metallised in the gas phase.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the Gp VIII metal is platinum, palladium or nickel.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the ratio metal:substrate is less than 1:1.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the ratio metal:substrate is less than 1:100.

8. A method according to claim 1, in which the metallized porous substrate is oxidised by oxygen plasma.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the reduction is performed by hydrogen plasma.

10. A method according to claim 1 in which the substrate does not exceed 325K during the plasma treatments.