Abstract: A sulfonated aromatic polyether ketone of the formula (II) [Ar—O—Ar?—CO—Ar?—O—Ar—CO—Ar?—CO—] ??(II) in which from 1% to 100% of the O-phenylene-CO units are substituted with an SO3M group and sulfonated and unsulfonated O-phenylene-CO units can be in any desired sequence with respect to one another, the radicals Ar, Ar? and Ar? independently of one another are substituted or unsubstituted 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene rings, and M, taking into account the ionic valencies, comprises one or more elements selected from the following group: H, NR4+, where R is H or C1-C4-alkyl, or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or a metal from subgroup 8, and is preferably H, NR4+, Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe or Pt.

Abstract: A sulfonated aromatic polyether ketone of the formula (II) [Ar—O—Ar?—CO—Ar?—O—Ar—CO—Ar?—CO—]??(II) in which from 1% to 100% of the O-phenylene-CO units are substituted with an SO3M group and sulfonated and unsulfonated O-phenylene-CO units can be in any desired sequence with respect to one another, the radicals Ar, Ar? and Ar? independently of one another are substituted or unsubstituted 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene rings, and M, taking into account the ionic valencies, comprises one or more elements selected from the following group: H, NR4+, where R is H or C1-C4-alkyl, or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or a metal from subgroup 8, and is preferably H, NR4+, Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe or Pt.

Abstract: Polymer electrolytes and process for their preparation

Abstract: Polymer-stabilized metal colloid solutions, process for preparing them and their use as catalysts for fuel cells. Process for preparing metal colloid solutions by reacting a platinum compound and, if desired, one or more compounds of Rh, Ru, Ir or Pd with a reducing agent. At least one cation-exchange polymer is used for stabilizing the metal colloid solution.

Abstract: Polymer electrolytes and process for their preparation

Abstract: Polybetaine-stabilized nanosize platinum particles, a process for preparing them and their use for electrocatalysts in fuel cells Soluble nanosize particles which have a diameter of from 0.5 to 3 nm, preferably from 1 to 2 nm, comprise platinum alone or platinum and other metals of the platinum group and are embedded in a protective colloid which comprises polymeric betaines and can be degraded by hydrolysis. The betaine is preferably a carbobetaine of the formula —N+R1R2—(—CH2—)n—CO2−, a phosphobetaine of the formula —N+R1R2—(—CH2—)n—PO3— or, preferably, a sulfobetaine of the formula —N+R1R2—(—CH2—)n—SO3—, where R1 and R2 may, independently of one another, be identical or different and are alkyl radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and n is 1, 2 or 3. Also described are a process for preparing the nanosize particles and catalysts produced therefrom and also their use for fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane is disclosed. A liquid medium is introduced into a cylinder having an inner surface having a cylindrical configuration. The liquid medium has at least one percent by weight of a polymer electrolyte and a solvent having a boiling point or an azeotropic point ranging from 60 to 220° C. Subsequently, the cylinder is rotated for evaporating the solvent by means of a centrifugal force created by such rotation so as to form a polymer electrolyte membrane having a cylindrical configuration with a substantially uniform thickness on the inner surface of the cylinder. Onto the inner surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane, a catalytic layer containing a catalytic particle may be formed.

Abstract: Process for using microwave irradiation to prepare solutions of polymers functionalized with acid groups The invention relates to a process for preparing aqueous, hydrous and anhydrous solutions of polymers functionalized with acid groups, which comprises using microwave radiation to supply the heat required to prepare the solution. The solutions are suitable as a starting material for producing gas diffusion electrodes, fuel cells and polymer-electrolyte-stabilized platinum nanoparticles.

Abstract: A process for producing laminates which contain at least one centrally arranged, ion-conductive membrane which is, at least over a substantial part of its two mutually opposite flat faces, electrically conductively bonded to at least one catalytically active substance and to at least one two-dimensional, gas-permeable, electron-conductive contacting material, the bonding of at least two of the said components having been effected by lamination. The process comprises carrying out the bonding of the ion-conductive membrane, of the catalytically active substance and of the electron-conductive contacting material continuously. The ion-conductive membrane is brought together with at least the electron-conductive contacting material in the exact position by means of transport and feeding devices and the two components are laminated and bonded to one another by pressing them together. The range of variation in the a.c. resistances of the laminates produced by the process according to the invention is ±10%.

Abstract: A particularly inexpensive, homogeneous and porous gas diffusion electrode which comprises at least one electrically conductive, hydrophobic and gas-permeable gas diffusion layer, comprising a mechanically stable support material which is impregnated with at least one electrically conductive material having a bulk conductivity of ≧10 mS/cm is produced. The gas diffusion electrode can be coated with a catalytically active layer. The electrodes of the invention are particularly suitable for use in fuel cells and electrolysis cells.

Abstract: For the preparation of predominantly unbranched higher primary alcohols, olefins from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are reacted with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of water and a catalyst which is rhodium, in metallic form or as a compound, and a water-soluble phosphine. The reaction product obtained is hydrogenated. The water-soluble phosphines employed are compounds whose anion is a phosphine containing at least one sulfonated or carboxylated aromatic radical and whose cation is a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium ion.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenation of an aldehyde selected from the group consisting of propanal, n-butanal, and i-butanal comprising contacting said aldehyde with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst comprising in the reduced state25% to 50% by weight of metallic nickel10% to 35% by weight of nickel oxide4% to 12% by weight of magnesium oxide1% to 5% by weight of sodium oxidethe remainder being a water insoluble support material, wherein the total of said nickel and said nickel oxide is 40% to 70% by weight based on said catalyst, said catalyst having a total BET surface area of 80 to 200 m.sup.2 /g and a total pore volume, determined by mercury porosimetry, of 0,35 to 0.6 ml/g,said total volume consisting of 30% to 60% of said volume from pores having pore radii equal to or less than 40 .ANG., 4% to 10% of said volume from pores having pore radii from more than 40 .ANG. to 300 .ANG., and 30% to 60% of said volume from pores having pore radii from more than 300 .ANG. to 5000 .ANG..

Abstract: A copper oxide/zinc oxide/aluminum oxide catalyst which contains, per 100 parts of copper oxide, 40 to 130 parts zinc oxide, 2 to 50 parts aluminum oxide, and 1 to 4 parts soium oxide. It has a total BET surface area of 50 to 100 m.sup.2 /g, and 75% to 95% of the total surface area is made up by pores having radii of 9 to 1000 nm, and 5% to 25% of the total surface area is made up by pores having radii of less than 9 nm. The catalyst is useful for hydrogenation of various organic compounds.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of amines by catalytic hydrogenation of nitriles in the presence of a nickel-containing support catalyst. The support catalyst contains Mg and Ni in coprecipitated form and in a molar ratio of 0.0075 to 0.075:1. There is 17 to 60 g of a water-insoluble support per mol of nickel, and 65% to 97% of the BET total surface area of the support catalyst is formed by pores having a radius r.sub.p .ltoreq.2.5 nm.

Abstract: A hydrogenation catalyst comprising 25 to 50% by weight of nickel (metallic) 10 to 35% by weight of nickel oxide 4 to 12% by weight of magnesium oxide 1 to 5% by weight of sodium oxide the remainder being a water-insoluble support material,wherein the total of nickel and nickel oxide is 40% to 70% by weight, and the catalyst has a surface area, determined by BET, of 80 to 200 m.sup.2 /g and a total pore volume of 0.35 to 0.6 ml/g. The total pore volume is made up of 30% to 60% by volume from pores having pore radii of .ltoreq.40 .ANG., 4% to 10% by volume from pores having pore radii of >40 to 300 .ANG., and 30% to 60% by volume from pores having pore radii of >300 to 5000 .ANG..

Abstract: A copper oxide/zinc oxide/aluminium oxide catalyst which contains, per 100 parts of copper oxide, 40 to 130 parts zinc oxide, 2 to 50 parts aluminium oxide, and 1 to 4 parts soium oxide. It has a total BET surface area of 50 to 100 m.sup.2 /g, and 75% to 95% of the total surface area is made up by pores having radii of 9 to 1000 nm, and 5% to 25% of the total surface area is made up by pores having radii of less than 9 nm. The catalyst is useful for hydrogenation of various organic compounds.

Abstract: A process for separation of aliphatic straight-chain compounds having terminal functional groups from mixtures containing isomers thereof branched in the .alpha.-position by precipitating the aliphatic, straight-chain compounds as their clathrates.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-aminomethylpiperidine by catalytic hydrogenation of 2-cyanopyridine in the presence of a cobalt-containing catalyst at elevated temperature and under elevated pressure. The reaction can be carried out either in two steps or in a single stage.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2,6 ]decan-8(9)-one by the conversion of 8(9)-hydroxytricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2,6 ]dec-3-ene by means of a supported catalyst containing nickel and magnesium oxide at elevated temperature and, if necessary, at elevated pressure.