Abstract: Nanoparticles which contain noble metals alone or noble metals in combination with base metals. The nanoparticles are embedded in an aqueous solution of a temporary stabilizer based on a polysaccharide.

Abstract: The catalyst of this invention is a non-stoichiometric tungsten compound, H0.53WO3, which may be used as both the anode and cathode electrocatalyst for acid-style low-temperature fuel cells. A fuel cell using the tungsten-based electrocatalyst as both the anode and cathode has been constructed and operated with a hydrogen fuel and an air oxidant.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing an electrode for fuel cells which can manufacture an electrode having superior electric power generation characteristics by enlarging the contact area of a polymer electrolyte with catalyst particles to increase the area of the three-phase interface, resulting in improvement of availability of the catalyst particle surface.

Abstract: In some embodiments a ternary electrocatalyst is provided. The electrocatalyst can be used in an anode for oxidizing alcohol in a fuel cell. In some embodiments, the ternary electrocatalyst may include a noble metal particle having a surface decorated with clusters of SnO2 and Rh. The noble metal particles may include platinum, palladium, ruthenium, iridium, gold, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the ternary electrocatalyst includes SnO2 particles having a surface decorated with clusters of a noble metal and Rh. Some ternary electrocatalysts include noble metal particles with clusters of SnO2 and Rh at their surfaces. In some embodiments the electrocatalyst particle cores are nanoparticles. Some embodiments of the invention provide a fuel cell including an anode incorporating the ternary electrocatalyst. In some aspects a method of using ternary electrocatalysts of Pt, Rh, and SnO2 to oxidize an alcohol in a fuel cell is described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catalyst slurry composition for an electrode of a fuel cell. The catalyst slurry composition includes 100 parts by weight of an active metal, about 5 to about 30 parts by weight of a binder polymer, and about 6 to about 70 parts by weight of silica. Use of the catalyst slurry composition can provide control of the volume of pores accordingly can improve the performance of a fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for preparing a metal catalyst includes a proton conductive material coating layer formed on the surface of a conductive material. Also, an electrode may be prepared using the metal catalyst. The method for preparing the metal catalyst comprises mixing the conductive catalyst material, the proton conductive material, and a first solvent, casting the mixture onto a supporting layer and drying the mixture to form a conductive catalyst containing film. The method further comprises separating the conductive catalyst containing film from the supporting layer and pulverizing the conductive catalyst containing film to obtain the metal catalyst. The method for preparing the electrode comprises mixing the metal catalyst with a hydrophobic binder and a second solvent, coating the mixture on an electrode support, and drying it.

Abstract: An electrode for hydrogen generation can maintain a low hydrogen overvoltage for a long period of time even when electrolysis is conducted there not only with a low current density but also with a high current density. The electrode for hydrogen generation has a coating layer formed on a conductive base member by applying a material not containing any chlorine atom prepared by dissolving lanthanum carboxylate in a nitric acid solution of ruthenium nitrate and thermally decomposing the material in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A multimetallic nanoscale catalyst having a sore portion enveloped by a shell portion and exhibiting high catalytic activity and improved catalytic durability. In various embodiments, the core/shell nanoparticles comprise a gold particle coated with a catalytically active platinum bimetallic material. The shape of the nanoparticles is substantially defined by the particle shape of the core portion. The nanoparticles may be dispersed on a high surface area substrate for use as a catalyst and is characterized by no significant loss in surface area and specific activity following extended potential cycling.

Abstract: A method of preparing a metal catalyst including a conductive catalyst material and a coating layer formed of a water repellent material on the surface of the conductive catalyst material includes: obtaining a water repellent material solution by mixing a water repellent material and a first solvent; obtaining a conductive catalyst solution by mixing a conductive catalyst material and a first solvent; mixing the water repellent material solution and the conductive catalyst solution; casting the result onto a supporter, drying the cast result and then separating a metal catalyst in a solid state from the supporter; and pulverizing and sieving the product. Also provided is a method of preparing an electrode including the metal catalyst.

Abstract: A method of coating carbon based electrodes and thick electrodes without mud-cracking is described. The electrode ink is deposited on a decal substrate, and transferred to a hot press before the electrode ink is completely dried. The partially dried electrode ink is hot pressed to the membrane to form a membrane electrode assembly. A membrane electrode assembly including a polymer membrane; and a pair of crack-free electrode layers on opposite sides of the polymer membrane, each of the pair of electrode layers having a thickness of at least about 50 ?m is also described.

Abstract: Titanium oxide (usually titanium dioxide) catalyst support particles are doped for electronic conductivity and formed with surface area-enhancing pores for use, for example, in electro-catalyzed electrodes on proton exchange membrane electrodes in hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells. Suitable compounds of titanium and a dopant are dispersed with pore-forming particles in a liquid medium. The compounds are deposited as a precipitate or sol on the pore-forming particles and heated to transform the deposit into crystals of dopant-containing titanium dioxide. If the heating has not decomposed the pore-forming particles, they are chemically removed from the, now pore-enhanced, the titanium dioxide particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an electrode for electrochemical reaction, wherein a conductive diamond layer is formed on an electrode substrate in the electrode; and the electrode substrate on which the conductive diamond layer is formed is kept at a temperature of 400° C. or more and 1,000° C. or less in a water vapor, thereby forming a micropore in the conductive diamond layer. Also, the present invention provides an electrode for electrochemical reaction obtained by the foregoing production process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of electrochemical cells and fuel cells, and more specifically to polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). It is directed to catalyst-coated ionomer membranes (“CCMs”) and membrane-electrode-assemblies (“MEAs”) that contain one or more protective film layers for protection, sealing and better handling purposes. The one or more protective film layers are attached to the surface of said catalyst-coated membranes in such a way that they overlap with a region of the passive non-coated ionomer area, and with a region of the active area that is coated with a catalyst layer. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a process for manufacture of CCMs and MEAs that contain protective film layers. The materials may be used as components for the manufacture of low temperature fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an electrode comprising a conductive substrate, a first layer of a mixture comprising iridium oxide in a crystalline phase and tantalum oxide in an amorphous phase on a portion of an outer surface of the conductive substrate, and a second layer of the mixture comprising iridium oxide in an amorphous phase and tantalum oxide in an amorphous phase on an outer surface of the first layer.

Abstract: A catalyst composition including a proton conductive metal oxide, and a fuel cell employing an electrode using the same. The proton conductivity of an electrode catalyst layer and distribution of a phosphoric acid electrolyte are enhanced, and thus the performance of the fuel cell is enhanced.

Abstract: The membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, and an anode and a cathode disposed on each side of the polymer electrolyte membrane and including a catalyst layer. The catalyst layer has a first catalyst layer that has a porosity of less than or equal to about 40% and is disposed to contact the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a second catalyst layer that has a porosity of more than or equal to about 50% and is disposed on the first catalyst layer.

Abstract: A product including a polymer electrolyte membrane, an electrode over the membrane, a gas diffusion media layer over the electrode, and a hydrophilic layer over the gas diffusion media layer.

Abstract: The electrode for a fuel cell of the present invention includes a carbonaceous electrode substrate, a microporous layer formed on the surface of the electrode substrate with the microporous layer including a carbonized polymer, and nano-carbon formed on the surface of the microporous layer with a catalyst layer coated on the surface of the nano-carbon. Alternatively, an electrode for a fuel cell includes a carbonaceous electrode substrate in which carbon particles are dispersed, a nano-carbon on the electrode substrate with a catalyst layer on the surface of the nano-carbon.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method comprising contacting a fibrous polymeric material and a carbon material to form a mixture, contacting the mixture with a liquid to form a slurry, and then forming a layer comprising the slurry. Also disclosed are layers formed from the recited methods, electrodes comprising the layers, and electrical devices comprising the layers and/or electrodes.

Abstract: A fuel cell is manufactured using a polymer electrolyte membrane (1). A catalyst layer (12) is formed at fixed intervals on the surface of the strip-form polymer electrolyte membrane (1) in the lengthwise direction thereof, and conveyance holes (10) are formed in series at fixed intervals on the two side portions thereof. By rotating a conveyance roller (32) comprising on its outer periphery projections which engage with the holes (10), the polymer electrolyte membrane (1) is fed from a reel (9). A GDL (6) and a separator (7) are adhered to the fed polymer electrolyte membrane (1) at a predetermined processing timing based on the rotation speed of the conveyance roller (32), and thus the fuel cell is manufactured efficiently while the GDL (6) and separator (7) are laminated onto the catalyst layer (12) accurately.

Abstract: A thin wafer comprising through holes filled at least partially with conductive carbon nanotubes generally oriented transversally to the wafer. A fuel cell comprising, in a thin wafer, a through hole filled with an electrolyte surrounded with barriers of carbon nanotubes generally oriented transversally to the wafer.

Abstract: A method of preparing a supported catalyst, a supported catalyst prepared by the method, and a fuel cell using the supported catalyst. In particular, a method of preparing a supported catalyst by preparing a primary supported catalyst containing catalytic metal particles that are obtained by a primary gas phase reduction reaction of a portion of the final loading amount of a catalytic metal, and reducing the remaining portion of the catalytic metal by a secondary liquid phase reduction reaction using the primary supported catalyst. The supported catalyst contains catalytic metal particles having a very small average particle size, which are uniformly distributed on a carbon support at a high concentration, and thus exhibits maximal catalyst activity. A fuel cell produced using the supported catalyst has improved efficiency.

Abstract: An electrode for effective ozone production in an electrochemical cell uses a modified electrode design which adopts a novel catalytic component. The catalytic component has a number of elements selected from various metals and metalloids, and is applied to a substrate in multiple coatings or layers. The catalytic component forms a catalytic surface which is at least partially disrupted by the presence of an element which is relatively inactive with respect to oxygen evolution.

Abstract: Electrode catalysts for fuel cells, a method of manufacturing the same, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including the same, and a fuel cell including the MEA are provided. The electrode catalysts include a first catalyst alloy containing palladium (Pd), cobalt (Co), and phosphorus (P), a second catalyst alloy containing palladium (Pd) and phosphorus (P), and a carbon-based support to support the catalysts.

Abstract: A method of preparing a supported catalyst includes dissolving a cation exchange polymer in alcohol to prepare a solution containing cation exchange polymer; mixing the cation exchange polymer containing solution with a catalytic metal precursor or a solution containing catalytic metal precursor; heating the mixture after adjusting its pH to a predetermined range; adding a reducing agent to the resultant and stirring the solution to reduce the catalytic metal precursor; mixing the resultant with a catalyst support; adding a precipitating agent to the resultant to form precipitates; and filtering and drying the precipitates. The method of preparing a supported catalyst can provide a highly dispersed supported catalyst containing catalytic metal particles with a reduced average size regardless of the type of catalyst support, which provides better catalytic activity than conventional catalysts at the same loading amount of catalytic metal.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell electrode assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the fuel cell electrode assembly includes a substrate and a plurality of catalyst regions supported on the substrate to provide a passage way formed between the catalyst regions for passing fuel cell reactants, at least a portion of the plurality of catalyst regions including a number of atomic layers of catalyst metals. In certain instances, the number of atomic layers of catalyst metals is greater than zero and less than 300. In certain other instances, the number of atomic layers of catalyst metals is between 1 and 100. In yet certain other instances, the number of atomic layers of catalyst metals is between 1 and 20.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell includes a complex support including at least one metal oxide and carbon-based material; and a palladium (Pd)-based catalyst supported by the complex support. A method of manufacturing the electrode catalyst includes dissolving a precursor of a palladium (Pd)-based catalyst in a solvent and preparing a mixture solution for a catalyst; adding a complex support including at least one metal oxide and a carbon-based material to the mixture solution for a catalyst and stirring the mixture solution to which the complex support is added; drying the mixture solution for a catalyst, to which the complex support is added, in order to disperse the precursor of the Pd-based catalyst on the complex support; and reducing the precursor of the Pd-based catalyst dispersed on the complex support. A fuel cell includes the electrode catalyst.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a method of forming a hydrophilic particle containing electrode including providing a catalyst; providing hydrophilic particles suspended in a liquid to form a liquid suspension; contacting said catalyst with said liquid suspension; and, drying said liquid suspension contacting said catalyst to leave said hydrophilic particles attached to said catalyst.

Abstract: One embodiment includes at least one of the anode and cathode of a fuel cell comprises a first layer and a second layer in intimate contact with each other. Both the first layer and the second layer comprise a catalyst capable of catalyzing an electrochemical reaction of a reactant gas. The second layer has a higher porosity than the first layer. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) based on the layered electrode configuration and a process of making a fuel cell are also described.

Abstract: A structure of fuel cell electrode comprises a diffusion layer having a surface, a conductive particle layer formed on the surface of the diffusion layer and a catalyst layer. The conductive particle layer has a plurality of conductive particles and a concavo-convex surface being composed of the conductive particles. The catalyst layer is formed on the concavo-convex surface of the conductive particle layer.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a method of forming a hydrophilic particle containing electrode including providing a catalyst; providing hydrophilic particles suspended in a liquid to form a liquid suspension; contacting said catalyst with said liquid suspension; and, drying said liquid suspension contacting said catalyst to leave said hydrophilic particles attached to said catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane, comprising a porous support layer a gas tight electronically and ionically conducting membrane layer and a catalyst layer, characterized in that the electronically and ionically conducting membrane layer is formed from a material having a crystallite structure with a crystal size of about 1 to 100 nm, and a method for producing same.

Abstract: The present invention is made to provide a carbon catalyst which has high catalytic activity and can achieve high catalyst performance. A carbon catalyst has nitrogen introduced therein. The value of energy peak area ratio of a first nitrogen atom whose electron in the is orbital has a binding energy of 398.5±1.0 eV to a second nitrogen atom whose electron in the is orbital has a binding energy of 401±1.0 eV (i.e., the value of (the first nitrogen atom)/(the second nitrogen atom)) of the introduced nitrogen is 1.2 or less.

Abstract: An oxygen electrode is created by forming a nanoscopic coating or nanoscopic deposits of mixed metal oxides as catalysts on a pre-formed, highly porous binder-free carbon structure. The highly porous carbon structure performs a role in the synthesis of the mixed oxide catalyst deposits as well as in providing a three-dimensional, electronically conductive support for the mixed metal oxide catalyst with a large surface area and desirable pore structure. The metal oxide mixture shall include two or more metal species. The multifunctional oxygen electrode materials, a process for producing the same and a metal oxygen battery using said oxygen electrode materials are disclosed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the catalyst performance of a chelate catalyst comprising a complex of a macrocyclic compound such as a porphyrin derivative is improved. Also, the following method is provided: a method for preparing a fuel cell electrode catalyst comprising a nitrogen-containing metal complex in which a metallic element is coordinated with a macrocyclic organic compound, such method comprising the steps of: adding tin oxalate to the nitrogen-containing metal complex; and baking a mixture of the nitrogen-containing metal complex and tin oxalate in an inert gas atmosphere, wherein elution of metal tin is carried out via acid treatment.

Abstract: A composition useful in electrodes provides higher power capability through the use of nanoparticle catalysts present in the composition. Nanoparticles of transition metals are preferred such as manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, palladium, ruthenium, gold, silver, and lead, as well as alloys thereof, and respective oxides. These nanoparticle catalysts can substantially replace or eliminate platinum as a catalyst for certain electrochemical reactions. Electrodes, used as anodes, cathodes, or both, using such catalysts have applications relating to metal-air batteries, hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), direct oxidation fuel cells (DOFCs), and other air or oxygen breathing electrochemical systems as well as some liquid diffusion electrodes.

Abstract: A method for producing a gold fine particle-supported carrier catalyst for a fuel cell, which reduces a gold ion in a liquid phase reaction system containing a carbon carrier by means of an action of a reducing agent, to reduce the gold ion, deposit, and support a gold fine particle on the carbon carrier, wherein a reduction rate of the gold ion is set within the range of 330 to 550 mV/h, and pH is set within the range of 4.0 to 6.0 to perform the reduction of the gold ion, deposition, and support of the gold fine particle.

Abstract: A NOx-decomposing electrode is provided having a certain or a high NOx-decomposing/reducing ability, which is formed on a third solid electrolyte layer for decomposing a NOx to produce oxygen. The detecting electrode contains a noble metal Pt, a material ZrO2 of the third solid electrolyte layer, and a mixture containing silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3). Specifically, the detecting electrode contains 80% to 90% by weight of the Pt, 9.5% to 19.8% by weight of the ZrO2, and 0.2% to 0.5% by weight of the mixture containing silica and alumina.

Abstract: A fuel reformer which can easily achieve high weight energy density and high volume energy density, and a method for producing the fuel reformer with ease and high efficiency as well as an electrode for electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell, and an electrochemical device are provided. The present invention is to feed hydrogen obtained from a fuel reformer having a catalyst layer containing Pt for taking out hydrogen from a liquid fuel, such as methanol, and a hydrogen permeable layer, such as a Pd thin film, which is impermeable to liquid and permeable to hydrogen to an electrochemical device such as a fuel cell, which comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode and a proton conductive film sandwiched therebetween. The present invention provides a method of producing the hydrogen permeable layer in the reformer by forming the hydrogen permeable layer and the catalyst layer on a base layer comprising Al or the like, and removing the base layer by dissolution.

Abstract: A metal catalyst including a conductive catalyst material and a coating layer formed of a water repellent material on the conductive catalyst material, an electrode including the metal catalyst, and a fuel cell employing the electrode. By forming the coating layer, having a water repellent material, on the conductive catalyst material, the metal catalyst does not sink in the liquid electrolyte, the distribution and movement of the liquid electrolyte around the metal catalyst can be controlled, and the thickness of the interface between the metal catalyst and the liquid electrolyte can be regulated. Accordingly, an ideal electrode structure having triple phase boundary for electrochemical reaction can be formed. A fuel cell employing an electrode including the metal catalyst has excellent efficiency and overall performance.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane is prepared from a liquid composition comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of trivalent cerium, tetravalent cerium, bivalent manganese and trivalent manganese; and a polymer with a cation-exchange group. The liquid composition is preferably one containing water, a carbonate of cerium or manganese, and a polymer with a cation-exchange group, and a cast film thereof is used as an electrolyte membrane to prepare a membrane-electrode assembly. The present invention successfully provides a membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells being capable of generating the electric power in high energy efficiency, having high power generation performance regardless of the dew point of the feed gas, and being capable of stably generating the electric power over a long period of time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nanowire structures and interconnected nanowire networks comprising such structures, as well as methods for their production. The nanowire structures comprise a nanowire core, a carbon-based layer, and in additional embodiments, carbon-based structures such as nanographitic plates consisting of graphenes formed on the nanowire cores, interconnecting the nanowire structures in the networks. The networks are porous structures that can be formed into membranes or particles. The nanowire structures and the networks formed using them are useful in catalyst and electrode applications, including fuel cells, as well as field emission devices, support substrates and chromatographic applications.

Abstract: A dispersant for a more concentrated carbon nanotube solution, and a composition including the same are provided. The dispersant may have a hydrophobic chain structure with head groups capable of surrounding carbon nanotube particles. The dispersant may adsorbed onto the carbon nanotube particles. The composition may include the dispersant, an aqueous liquid medium and a carbon nanotube. The composition may further include an additive. It may be possible to produce a more concentrated carbon nanotube solution exhibiting an increase in dispersion of the carbon nanotube particles and/or more stability.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first conductive substrate (e.g., a metal foil) having a first surface; a plurality of conductive stalks (e.g., carbon nano-tubes) extending from the first surface; an electrically insulating coating (e.g., sulfur) about the carbon stalks; a second conductive substrate (e.g., a lithium oxide foil); and an electrolyte (e.g., a polymer electrolyte) disposed between the first surface of the first conductive substrate and the second conductive substrate. In various embodiments: the sulfur is disposed at a thickness of about 3 nanometers +?1 nanometer; the stalks are at a density such that a gap between them as is between 2 and 200 diameters of an ion transported through the electrolyte; and there is a separator layer within the electrolyte having a porosity amenable to passage by such ions. Also detailed is a method for making the foil with the coated carbon nano-tubes.

Abstract: A process for making a catalytic electrode, a process for making an electrochemical cell with a catalytic electrode, and an electrochemical cell made according to the process. The catalytic electrode has an active layer comprising a catalytic material, an electrically conductive material and a binder, and a gas diffusion layer including a material that is permeable to gas entering or escaping from the cell but essentially impermeable to electrolyte. The gas diffusion layer is adhered to the active layer by a patterned pressure bonding process to provide the catalytic electrode in which the entire gas diffusion area is adhered to the active layer, with areas of relatively high and relatively low adhesion. The electrode has a high overall bond strength, and the permeability of the gas diffusion layer remains high it has been adhered to the active layer to provide excellent high power capability.

Abstract: A method for preparing an electrode in which droplets of a first electrode ink composition and droplets of a second electrode ink composition are ejected from an ink jet device onto a base material. The first electrode ink composition contains at least one electrode active material and the second electrode ink composition contains at least one binder material. The two ink compositions are deposited in combination to form one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode layer. The resulting electrode is suitable for use in a battery.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, which has improved performance compared with conventional platinum alloy catalysts, a method for producing the electrode catalyst, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the electrode catalyst are provided. The electrode catalyst for a fuel cell comprises a noble-metal-non-precious metal alloy that has a core-shell structure supported on a conductive carrier. The composition of the catalyst components of the shell is such that the amount of the noble metal is greater than or equal to the amount of the non-precious metal.

Abstract: A high surface area support material is formed of an intimate mixture of carbon clusters and titanium oxide clusters. A catalytic metal, such as platinum, is deposited on the support particles and the catalyzed material used as an electrocatalyst in an electrochemical cell such as a PEM fuel cell. The composite material is prepared by thermal decomposition and oxidation of an intimate mixture of a precursor carbon polymer, a titanium alkoxide and a surfactant that serves as a molecular template for the mixed precursors.

Abstract: Non-platinum (Pt) electrode catalysts for fuel cells, methods of manufacturing the same, and fuel cells including the non-Pt electrode catalysts. Each of the non-Pt electrode catalysts for fuel cells includes at least palladium (Pd) and iridium (Ir), and further includes a metal, oxide of the metal, or mixture thereof for compensating for the activity of Pd and Ir.

Abstract: The invention provides metal-containing corrin compounds as catalysts for oxygen reduction in electrochemical devices, such as in fuel cells. The catalysts provide more efficient reduction at lower cost than conventional noble metal catalyst. Methods for preparing the catalysts are also provided.