Abstract: The durability of a fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane with an anode on one surface and an oxygen-reducing cathode on the other surface is improved by substituting electrically conductive titanium carbide or titanium nitride particles for carbon particles as oxygen-reducing and hydrogen-oxidizing catalyst supports. For example nanosize platinum particles deposited on nanosize titanium carbide or titanium nitride support particles provide good oxygen reduction capability and are corrosion resistant in an acid environment. It is preferred that the catalyst-on-titanium carbide (nitride) particles be mixed with non-catalyst-bearing carbon in the electrode material for improved electrode performance.

Abstract: A reagent suitable for use as a catalyst comprises a first metal species substrate having a second reduced metal species coated thereon, the second reduced metal species being less electropositive than the first metal. Methods of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane containing fluorine atoms distributed along the polymer chains, and metal conductors and/or catalysts, is protected from fluoride ion degradation of the metal components by a fluoride ion sequestering agent fixed in the cell or flowing through the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the fluoride ion scavenger comprises a suitable number of azacrown moieties attached to polymer constituents in the electrolyte membrane or in electrodes.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a product comprising: a membrane electrolyte having a first face and a second face; and an anode over the first face and a cathode over the second face, and wherein the anode has a catalyst loading that is less than 50% of the catalyst loading of the cathode.

Abstract: An electrocatalyst for fuel cell applications includes a catalyst support and a noble metal or noble metal-based alloy catalyst supported upon the catalyst support. The catalyst support characteristically includes a Group IV-VI transition metal silicide with or without the mixing of carbon. A fuel cell incorporating the electrocatalyst into the anode and/or cathode is disclosed. Such fuel cell exhibit improved cycling and operating performance.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that is made up of a membrane sandwiched between first and second electrodes, a contaminant peroxide, damaging to the MEA, and at least one constituent with the contaminant peroxide that prevents, or at least inhibits, decomposition of at least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, the membrane, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: An integrated hybrid electrochemical device comprising a nickel-metal hydride battery and an alkaline H2—O2/air fuel cell together sharing a common alkali metal electrolyte in a housing common to both. In one embodiment, the NiMH battery and alkaline fuel cell electrodes share only the same electrolyte. According to another embodiment, the battery and fuel cell electrodes not only share the same electrolyte, but also share common reactant supply plenums as well. In another embodiment, the battery and fuel cell electrodes share a common electrolyte, common reactant (i.e. H2 and O2 or air) supply plenums, and common current collectors.

Abstract: A reagent suitable for use as a catalyst comprises a first metal species substrate having a second reduced metal species coated thereon, the second reduced metal species being less electropositive than the first metal. Methods of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing dimeric or higher polymeric reaction products of nitrogen aromatics comprise contacting a composition comprising the nitrogen aromatic with a catalyst composition. The catalyst is in particulate form and comprises a first metal substrate having a second reduced metal coated on the substrate.

Abstract: The durability of a PEM fuel cell is improved by replacing carbon catalyst support materials in the cathode (and optionally both electrodes) with a titanium oxide support. The electrode thus preferably contains noble metal containing catalyst particles carried on catalyst support particles of titanium oxide. The catalyst-bearing titanium oxide particles are mixed with electrically conductive material such as carbon particles. The combination of platinum particles deposited on titanium dioxide support particles and mixed with conductive carbon particles provides an electrode with good oxygen reduction capacity and corrosion resistance in an acid environment.

Abstract: The durability of a fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane with an anode on one surface and an oxygen-reducing cathode on the other surface is improved by replacing conductive carbon matrix materials in an electrode with a matrix of electrically conductive metal compound particles. The electrode includes a catalyst supported on a nanosize metal oxides and electrically conductive nanosize matrix particles of a metal compound. One or more metal compounds such as a boride, carbide, nitride, silicide, carbonitride, oxyboride, oxycarbide, or oxynitride of a metal such as cobalt, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, neodymium niobium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, and zirconium is suitable. For example, the combination of platinum particles deposited on titanium dioxide support particles mixed in a conductive matrix of titanium carbide particles provides an electrode with good oxygen reduction capability and corrosion resistance in an acid environment.

Abstract: The durability of a fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane with an anode on one surface and an oxygen-reducing cathode on the other surface is improved by substituting electrically conductive titanium carbide or titanium nitride particles for carbon particles as oxygen-reducing and hydrogen-oxidizing catalyst supports. For example nanosize platinum particles deposited on nanosize titanium carbide or titanium nitride support particles provide good oxygen reduction capability and are corrosion resistant in an acid environment.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane containing fluorine atoms distributed along the polymer chains, and metal conductors and/or catalysts. The cell is protected from metal ion degradation of cell components, especially the polymer electrolyte, by a metal ion sequestering or chelating agent fixed in the cell or flowing through the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the metal ion-sequestering agent comprises a suitable number of metal ion-binding molecular crown moieties attached to polymer constituents in the electrolyte membrane or in electrodes.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane containing fluorine atoms distributed along the polymer chains, and metal conductors and/or catalysts, is protected from fluoride ion degradation of the metal components by a fluoride ion sequestering agent fixed in the cell or flowing through the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the fluoride ion scavenger comprises a suitable number of azacrown moieties attached to polymer constituents in the electrolyte membrane or in electrodes.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that is made up of a membrane sandwiched between first and second electrodes, a contaminant peroxide, damaging to the MEA, and at least one constituent with the contaminant peroxide that prevents, or at least inhibits, decomposition of at least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, the membrane, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: An integrated hybrid electrochemical device comprising a nickel-metal hydride battery and an alkaline H2—O2/air fuel cell together sharing a common alkali metal electrolyte in a housing common to both. In one embodiment, the NiMH battery and alkaline fuel cell electrodes share only the same electrolyte. According to another embodiment, the battery and fuel cell electrodes not only share the same electrolyte, but also share common reactant supply plenums as well. In another embodiment, the battery and fuel cell electrodes share a common electrolyte, common reactant (i.e. H2 and O2 or air) supply plenums, and common current collectors.