Abstract: Metallic aerogel compositions comprising an aerogel, e.g., RF or carbon aerogel, having metallic particles dispersed on its surface are disclosed. The aerogel compositions can have a uniform distribution of small metallic particles, e.g., 1 nanometer average particle diameter. Also disclosed are processes for making the aerogel compositions comprising contacting an aerogel with a supercritical fluid containing a metallic compound. The aerogel compositions are useful, for example in the manufacture of fuel cell electrodes.

Abstract: A process for making an aerogel-electrolyte-metal composite includes contacting an aerogel with an electrolyte to form an aerogel-electrolyte composite; contacting the aerogel-electrolyte composite with a metal precursor to form an aerogel-electrolyte-precursor composite; and converting the metal precursor of the aerogel-electrolyte-precursor composite to metal crystals to form the aerogel-electrolyte-metal composite. In addition, an aerogel-electrolyte-metal composite is formed by the process, wherein the average longest dimension of the metal crystals is about 1 to about 3 nanometers, and wherein the metal crystals are about 30% to about 100% dispersed.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode catalyst comprises a supporting structure made of a metallic composition of carbon aerogel wherein the carbon aerogel has a surface area of greater than about 400 square meters per gram (m2/g) and a pore size of greater than about 4 nm and up to about 50 nm. The crystals of a metal dispersed on the supporting structure are about 1 nm to about 3 nm in diameter. A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprises a solid electrolyte membrane and catalyst paste, slurry, or ink, disposed on the solid electrolyte membrane wherein the catalyst paste, slurry, or ink comprises a metallic composition of carbon aerogel in powder form and unagglomerated solid electrolyte and solvent dispersed within the carbon aerogel structure.

Abstract: Metallic aerogel compositions comprising an aerogel, e.g., RF or carbon aerogel, having metallic particles dispersed on its surface are disclosed. The aerogel compositions can have a uniform distribution of small metallic particles, e.g., 1 nanometer average particle diameter. Also disclosed are processes for making the aerogel compositions comprising contacting an aerogel with a supercritical fluid containing a metallic compound. The aerogel compositions are useful, for example in the manufacture of fuel cell electrodes.