Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for a supercapacitor. One form of the supercapacitor has a first electrode comprising a first active material, a second electrode comprising a second active material, and an electrolyte comprising a protic ionic liquid. The protic ionic liquid may be capable of undergoing a faradaic charge transfer with an electrode of a supercapacitor.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, an asymmetric supercapacitor includes a first active material with a high hydrogen over-potential and a second active material with a high oxygen over-potential. The first active material is based on a nitride, an oxynitride, a carbide, an oxycarbide, a boride, or an oxyboride of a metal selected from Groups III, IV, V, VI, and VII of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: This invention discloses an electrochemical device having a multilayer structure and methods for making such a device. Specifically, this invention discloses a multilayer electrochemical device having nano-sized cobalt oxyhydroxide conductive agents and/or active materials within the polymer layers.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, an asymmetric supercapacitor includes a first active material with a high hydrogen over-potential and a second active material with a high oxygen over-potential. The first active material is based on a nitride, an oxynitride, a carbide, an oxycarbide, a boride, or an oxyboride of a metal selected from Groups III, IV, V, VI, and VII of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, an asymmetric supercapacitor includes a first active material with a high hydrogen over-potential and a second active material with a high oxygen over-potential. The first active material is based on a nitride, an oxynitride, a carbide, an oxycarbide, a boride, or an oxyboride of a metal selected from Groups III, IV, V, VI, and VII of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: This invention discloses an electrochemical device having a multilayer structure and methods for making such a device. Specifically, this invention discloses a multilayer electrochemical device having nano-sized cobalt oxyhydroxide conductive agents and/or active materials within the polymer layers.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of making a supercapacitor includes impregnating a foam electrode substrate with an active material precursor, wherein the foam electrode substrate includes a plurality of pores and the active material precursor is dispersed into the pores. The method further includes reacting the active material precursor infiltrated foam substrate with a reductant under conditions sufficient to convert the active material precursor to an active material, wherein the active material is based on a nitride, an oxynitride, a carbide, or an oxycarbide of a metal selected from Groups III, IV, V, VI, or VII of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: A catalyst composition contains an active metal on a support including a high surface area substrate and an interstitial compound, for example molybdenum carbide. Pt—Mo2C/Al2O3 catalysts are described. The catalyst systems and compositions are useful for carrying out reactions generally related to the water gas shift reaction (WGS) and to the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) process.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, an asymmetric supercapacitor includes a first active material with a high hydrogen over-potential and a second active material with a high oxygen over-potential. The first active material is based on a nitride, an oxynitride, a carbide, an oxycarbide, a boride, or an oxyboride of a metal selected from Groups III, IV, V, VI, and VII of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of making a supercapacitor includes impregnating a foam electrode substrate with an active material precursor, wherein the foam electrode substrate includes a plurality of pores and the active material precursor is dispersed into the pores. The method further includes reacting the active material precursor infiltrated foam substrate with a reductant under conditions sufficient to convert the active material precursor to an active material, wherein the active material is based on a nitride, an oxynitride, a carbide, or an oxycarbide of a metal selected from Groups III, IV, V, VI, or VII of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed herein. The catalyst includes a reducible oxide support and at least one noble metal fixed on the reducible oxide support. The noble metal(s) is loaded on the support at a substantially constant temperature and pH.

Abstract: Catalysts for the water gas shift reaction contain a variety of late transition metals. The catalytic compositions contain a late transition metal carried on a support which is a carbide, nitride, or mixed carbide nitride of a group 6 metal such as molybdenum, tungsten, and mixtures thereof. The late transition metal includes ruthenium, cobalt, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, or gold. The water gas shift reaction may be catalyzed by contacting a gaseous stream containing carbon monoxide and water with such a solid catalyst composition. In some embodiments, the catalysts are several times more active than known commercial catalysts for the water gas shift reaction.

Abstract: Mono- and bimetallic transition metal carbides, nitrides and borides, and their oxygen containing analogs (e.g. oxycarbides) for use as water gas shift catalysts are described. In a preferred embodiment, the catalysts have the general formula of M1AM2BZCOD, wherein M1 is selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, and combinations thereof; M2 is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Cu, Co, and combinations thereof; Z is selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, boron, and combinations thereof; A is an integer; B is 0 or an integer greater than 0; C is an integer; O is oxygen; and D is 0 or an integer greater than 0. The catalysts exhibit good reactivity, stability, and sulfur tolerance, as compared to conventional water shift gas catalysts. These catalysts hold promise for use in conjunction with proton exchange membrane fuel cell powered systems.

Abstract: Mono- and bimetallic transition metal carbides, nitrides and borides, and their oxygen containing analogs (e.g. oxycarbides) for use as water gas shift catalysts are described. In a preferred embodiment, the catalysts have the general formula of M1AM2BZCOD, wherein M1 is selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, and combinations thereof; M2 is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Cu, Co, and combinations thereof; Z is selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, boron, and combinations thereof; A is an integer; B is 0 or an integer greater than 0; C is an integer; 0 is oxygen; and D is 0 or an integer greater than 0. The catalysts exhibit good reactivity, stability, and sulfur tolerance, as compared to conventional water shift gas catalysts. These catalysts hold promise for use in conjunction with proton exchange membrane fuel cell powered systems.

Abstract: A catalyst comprises an electrically conductive ceramic substrate having at least one noble metal supported thereupon. The substrate may be a transition metal based ceramic such as a carbide, nitride, boride, or silicide of a transition metal, and the noble metal may comprise a mixture of noble metals. The substrate may comprise a high surface area ceramic. Also disclosed are fuel cells incorporating the catalysts.

Abstract: A non-oxide, transition metal based ceramic material has the general formula A.sub.y M.sub.2 Z.sub.x, wherein A is a group IA element, M is a transition metal and Z is selected from the group consisting of N, C, B, Si, and combinations thereof, and wherein x.ltoreq.2 and y.ltoreq.6-x. In these materials, the group IA element occupies interstitial sites in the metallic lattice, and may be readily inserted into or released therefrom. The materials may be used as catalysts and as electrodes. Also disclosed herein are methods for the fabrication of the materials.

Abstract: Mesoporous desigels are fabricated as nitrides, carbides, borides, and silicides of metals, particularly transition metals, and most particularly early transition metals. The desigels are prepared by forming a gel of a metallic compound, and removing solvent from the gel. In some instances, the thus produced desigel may be further reacted to change its composition, while preserving its mesoporous structure. The materials are particularly suited as electrodes for capacitors, including ultracapacitors, and for batteries.

Abstract: High surface area electrodes for use in electrical and electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices comprise conductive transition metal nitrides, carbides, borides or combinations thereof where the metal is molybdenum or tungsten. Disclosed is a method of manufacturing such electrodes by forming or depositing a layer of metal oxide, then exposing the metal oxide layer at elevated temperature to a source of nitrogen, carbon or boron in a chemically reducing environment to form the desired metal nitride, carbide or boride film. Also disclosed is an ultracapacitor comprised of the new high surface area electrodes having a specific capacitance of 100 mF/cm.sup.2 and an energy density of 100 mJ/cm.sup.3 with improved conductivity and chemical stability when compared to currently available electrodes.

Abstract: A facile synthesis of the precursor, Cp.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 (.mu.-S).sub.2 (.mu.-SH).sub.2, to novel heterobimetallic cluster compositions (e.g., Cp.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 Fe.sub.2 (.mu.-S).sub.2 (CO).sub.8 ; Cp.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 Ni.sub.2 (.mu..sub.3 -S).sub.4 (CO).sub.2 ; Cp.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 Co.sub.2 (.mu..sub.3 -S).sub.2 (.mu..sub.4 -S)(CO).sub.4 ; Cp.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 Fe.sub.2 (.mu..sub.3 -S).sub.4 (CO).sub.6 and Cp.sub.4 Mo.sub.2 Ni.sub.2 S.sub.4 and the subsequent synthesis and use of the heterobimetallic cluster compositions as highly active and selective catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide. Such heterobimetallic cluster catalysts supported on alumina exhibit extraordinary activity and selectivity with respect to the formation of ethane without concommitant formation of C.sub.3, C.sub.4 and heavier hydrocarbons. The catalysts are contemplated as being useful for syngas conversion even in the presence of several ppm of H.sub.2 S or the like in the feedstream.