Abstract: An electrode for use in a fuel cell comprises a flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric and a fuel cell catalyst, such as a metal catalyst or a carbon alloy catalyst, supported on the surfaces of the carbon fibers constituting the flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric. The flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric is formed by carbonizing a nonwoven fabric obtained by electrospinning a composition containing: an electrospinnable macromolecular substance; an organic compound that is different from the macromolecular substance; and a transition metal. This structure allows the provision of an electrode, for use in a fuel cell, which uses a flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric as a substrate and combines the functions of a gas-diffusion layer and an electrocatalyst layer.

Abstract: A carbon catalyst which has high catalytic activity and can achieve high catalyst performance is provided. The carbon catalyst comprises nitrogen. The energy peak area ratio of the first nitrogen atom whose electron in the 1s orbital has a binding energy of 398.5±1.0 eV to the second nitrogen atom whose electron in the 1s 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 nitrogen introduced into the catalyst is 1.2 or less.

Abstract: A carbon catalyst which has high catalytic activity and can achieve high catalyst performance is provided. The carbon catalyst comprises nitrogen. The energy peak area ratio of the first nitrogen atom whose electron in the 1s orbital has a binding energy of 398.5±1.0 eV to the second nitrogen atom whose electron in the 1s 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 nitrogen introduced into the catalyst is 1.2 or less.

Abstract: The disclosed electrode for use in a fuel cell comprises a flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric and a fuel-cell catalyst, such as a metal catalyst or a carbon-alloy catalyst, supported on the surfaces of the carbon fibers constituting the flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric. Said flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric is formed by carbonizing a nonwoven fabric obtained by electrospinning a composition containing: an electrospinnable macromolecular substance; an organic compound that is different from said macromolecular substance; and a transition metal. This structure allows the provision of an electrode, for use in a fuel cell, which uses a flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric as a substrate and combines the functions of a gas-diffusion layer and an electrocatalyst layer.

Abstract: The present invention is made to integrate a catalyst and other component(s) to be combined with the catalyst to reduce the number of components, and to reduce contact resistance of the integrated components. A configuration is formed in which a conductive region is provided in at least a portion of a base 3, and a carbon catalyst 2 is formed in the conductive region. The configuration is formed by attaching a carbon precursor polymer to the base and carbonizing the carbon precursor polymer.

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.