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.

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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.