Abstract: A method may form an electroconductive and hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL) at an active layer surface configured for an electrochemical converter, including: (a) providing a non-aqueous dispersion, called “ink”, including a carbon-based particulate material and an organic solvent; (b) forming an ink deposit at the active layer surface; and (c) evaporating the solvent(s) to form a microporous layer, simultaneously and/or subsequently to the forming (b). The ink may include poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene), dissolved in the organic solvent. Ink may prepare such a microporous layer, and a multilayer structure including an active layer supported by a solid electrolyte membrane and contacting, at its face on the opposite side the solid membrane, with a microporous layer obtained by the such a method. A membrane-electrode assembly may include such a multilayer structure. Such an MEA may be used in an individual cell of an electrochemical converter, in particular in a PEMFC.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water electrolysis device including a membrane-electrode assembly that includes a proton-exchange membrane and an anode active layer that includes an electrocatalytic material. The water electrolysis device further includes a water inlet collector and an oxygen outlet collector, a straight line connecting the water inlet collector to the oxygen outlet collector extending along a general flow direction. The water electrolysis device further includes an anode facing the anode active layer. In a section along a normal to the straight line, the anode has points that each have a combined distance with the water inlet collector and with the oxygen outlet collector, the combined distance for a first point at the periphery of the anode is at least 10% greater than the combined distance of a second point positioned on the straight line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for depositing a metal M1 onto a carbon layer, as well as to a method for manufacturing an electrode for fuel cells and to a method for manufacturing a fuel cell. The method for depositing a metal M1 onto a porous carbon layer according to the invention includes a step of depositing said metal M1 by means of the electrochemical reduction of an electrolytic solution of a salt of the metal M1, and, prior to said step of depositing the metal M1 by means of electrochemical reduction, a step of depositing a metal M2 by means of chemical reduction using a reducing gas of a salt of the metal M2, the thermodynamic equilibrium potential between the ionic form of the salt of M2 and M2, Eeqionic form of the salt of M2/M2 being greater than the thermodynamic equilibrium potential between the ionic form of the salt of M1 and M1, Eeqionic form of the salt of M1/M1. The invention can be used, in particular, in the field of fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a solvent based electrode-forming composition which comprises at least one vinylidene fluoride (VDF) polymer and a graphene oxide with an oxygen content of no more than 25 wt % dispersed in an organic solvent, wherein the VDF polymer comprises recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and from at least one (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) having formula (I) here below: wherein: —R1, R2 and R3, equal to or different from each other, are independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a C1-C3 hydrocarbon group, and —ROH is a hydrogen atom or a C1-C5 hydrocarbon moiety comprising at least one hydroxyl group. The present invention further relates to a process for manufacturing said electrode-forming composition, and the use thereof for manufacturing an electrode of secondary lithium batteries.

Abstract: A method of preparing by electrodeposition a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, including the steps of: depositing a composition containing at least one precursor of a transition metal and electronically-conductive particles, on a main surface of a proton exchange membrane; drying the deposit; positioning the proton exchange membrane in an electrodeposition cell; reducing the transition metal precursor made of transition metal particles having a degree of oxidation equal to 0, by flowing of an electric current through the electrodeposition cell; obtaining a membrane electrode assembly having its proton exchange membrane including a main surface containing particles of the transition metal having a degree of oxidation equal to 0.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a catalytic, electrically conductive electrode based on metal particles, comprises: a step of electroplating with a metal salt to form the said metal particles at the surface of an electrode, characterized in that the step of electroplating of the metal salt is performed in the presence of a blocking chemical species with a high power of absorption onto the surface of the said metal particles and with an oxidation potential higher than the reduction potential of the said metal salt such that the blocking chemical species conserves its blocking power during the reduction reaction of the said metal salt, and so as to reduce the size of the metal particles formed, constituting the said catalytic, electrically conductive electrode; and, a step of desorption of the blocking chemical species.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a core-shell type anode active material for lithium secondary batteries, comprising: a core made of a silicon-containing electroactive material; and a metallic shell formed outside the core, wherein the metallic shell is composed of at least one metallic compound comprising at least one metal [compound (M)]. The invention further discloses a method for manufacturing said core-shell type anode active material, which uses electroless plating. Additionally, the invention also relates to a process for manufacturing an anode structure using the core-shell type anode active material, and to an electrochemical device comprising said anode structure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a solvent based electrode-forming composition which comprises at least one vinylidene fluoride (VDF) polymer and a graphene oxide with an oxygen content of no more than 25 wt % dispersed in an organic solvent, wherein the VDF polymer comprises recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and from at least one (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) having formula (I) here below: wherein: —R1, R2 and R3, equal to or different from each other, are independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a C1-C3 hydrocarbon group, and —ROH is a hydrogen atom or a C1-C5 hydrocarbon moiety comprising at least one hydroxyl group. The present invention further relates to a process for manufacturing said electrode-forming composition, and the use thereof for manufacturing an electrode of secondary lithium batteries.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a catalytic, electrically conductive electrode based on metal particles, comprises: a step of electroplating with a metal salt to form the said metal particles at the surface of an electrode, characterized in that the step of electroplating of the metal salt is performed in the presence of a blocking chemical species with a high power of absorption onto the surface of the said metal particles and with an oxidation potential higher than the reduction potential of the said metal salt such that the blocking chemical species conserves its blocking power during the reduction reaction of the said metal salt, and so as to reduce the size of the metal particles formed, constituting the said catalytic, electrically conductive electrode; and, a step of desorption of the blocking chemical species.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for depositing a metal M1 onto a carbon layer, as well as to a method for manufacturing an electrode for fuel cells and to a method for manufacturing a fuel cell. The method for depositing a metal M1 onto a porous carbon layer according to the invention includes a step of depositing said metal M1 by means of the electrochemical reduction of an electrolytic solution of a salt of the metal M1, and, prior to said step of depositing the metal M1 by means of electrochemical reduction, a step of depositing a metal M2 by means of chemical reduction using a reducing gas of a salt of the metal M2, the thermodynamic equilibrium potential between the ionic form of the salt of M2 and M2, Eeqionic form of the salt of M2/M2 being greater than the thermodynamic equilibrium potential between the ionic form of the salt of M1 and M1, Eeqionic form of the salt of M1/M1. The invention can be used, in particular, in the field of fuel cells.