Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a substrate coated with a multi-layer coating system including: optionally a primer layer applied to the substrate and deposited from a primer coating composition; a tie-coat layer applied to the substrate or to the optional primer layer, deposited from a tie-coat composition including a binder polymer obtainable by copolymerizing a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, the binder polymer having curable alkoxysilyl functional groups. The substrate can include a topcoat layer applied to the tie-coat layer, and deposited from a non-aqueous liquid foul release coating composition including a curable resin system including i) a curable polymer and optionally ii) a curing agent and/or a catalyst, where the non-aqueous liquid foul release coating composition is essentially free of a curable polysiloxane.

Abstract: A fuel cell cathode catalyst is provided comprising nanostructured elements comprising microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles; wherein the catalyst comprises platinum and manganese and at least one other metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIb metals, Group VIIb metals and Group VIIIb metals other than platinum and manganese; wherein the volume ratio of platinum to the sum of all other metals in the catalyst is between about 1 and about 4, more typically between 1 and 4, more typically between about 2.5 and about 3.5, more typically between 2.5 and 3.5, and most typically about 3, and wherein the Mn content is equal to or greater than about 5 micrograms/cm2 areal density. Typically, the volume ratio of manganese to the at least one other metal is between 10:90 and 90:10. In one embodiment, the volume ratio of platinum to manganese to the at least one other metal is about 6:1:1. Typically, the at least one other metal is Ni or Co.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for recovering platinum metal from a fuel cell stack without disassembly, burning or electrolysis by introducing an oxidizing acidic solution to at least one of the ports of the stack. The method may additionally include the subsequent step of precipitating a platinum salt from the oxidizing acidic solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for recovering platinum metal from a catalyst-coated membrane comprising nanostructured elements by exposure to an oxidizing acidic solution. The method may additionally include, the subsequent step of precipitating a platinum salt from the oxidizing acidic solution. The method may additionally include the subsequent step of calcining the platinum salt.