Abstract: A thermal barrier article comprising a core layer containing a plurality of fibers or a flame-retardant foam, and a supplementary layer disposed on or integrated within the core layer, where the thermal barrier article is operatively adapted to survive or withstand at least one cycle of the Torch and Grit Test.

Abstract: A water electrolyzer comprises a membrane, a cathode and an anode. The membrane comprises a first membrane layer comprising a first ion-conductive polymer, a second membrane layer comprising a second ion-conductive polymer, and a platinized nanostructured layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The platinized nanostructured layer comprises close-packed whiskers having at least one of platinum or platinum oxide disposed thereon. The cathode is disposed on the membrane and comprises a first catalyst consisting essentially of both metallic Pt and Pt oxide. The anode is disposed on the opposite surface of the membrane and comprises a second catalyst comprising at least 95 percent by weight of collectively metallic Ir and Ir oxide, calculated as elemental Ir, based on the total weight of the second catalyst, wherein at least one of metallic Ir or Ir oxide is present. Membranes and methods of making them are also disclosed.

Abstract: Water electrolyzer comprising a membrane having first and second opposed major surfaces, a thickness extending between the first and second major surfaces, and first, second, and third regions equally spaced across the thickness, wherein the first region is the closest region to the first major surface, wherein the second region is the closest region to the second major surface, wherein the third region is located between the first and second regions, wherein the first and third regions are each essentially free of both metallic Pt and Pt oxide, and wherein the second region comprises at least one of metallic Pt or Pt oxide; a cathode comprising a first catalyst on the first major surface of the membrane; and an anode comprising a second catalyst on the second major surface of the membrane.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising nanostructured elements comprising microstructured whiskers having an outer surface at least partially covered by a catalyst material comprising at least 90 atomic percent collectively Pt, Ni, and Cr, wherein the Pt is present in a range from 32.4 to 35.8 atomic percent, the Ni is present in a range from 57.7 to 63.7 atomic percent, and the Cr is present in a range from 0.5 to 10.0 atomic percent, and wherein the total atomic percent of Pt, Ni, and Cr equals 100. Catalyst described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: Catalyst material comprising nanoparticles dispersed within a metal oxide layer, the metal oxide layer comprises metal oxide comprising at least one metal cation, wherein the nanoparticles comprise Pt, wherein the nanoparticles comprise less than 10 atom % of oxygen, and wherein the metal oxide layer has an average thickness not greater than 50 nanometers. The catalyst material comprising nanoparticles dispersed within a metal oxide layer can be converted, for example, to nanoporous catalyst layer comprising nanoparticles fused together, wherein the nanoparticles comprise Pt, wherein the nanoparticles comprise less than 10 atom % of oxygen, and wherein the layer has an average thickness not greater than 50 nanometers. The nanoporous catalyst layer is useful, for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the reduction of carbon dioxide comprising: providing an electrochemical device comprising an anode, a cathode, and a polymeric anion exchange membrane therebetween, wherein the polymeric anion exchange membrane comprises an anion exchange polymer, wherein the anion exchange polymer comprises at least one positively charged group selected from a guanidinium, a guanidinium derivative, an N-alkyl conjugated heterocyclic cation, or combinations thereof; introducing a composition comprising carbon dioxide to the cathode; and applying electrical energy to the electrochemical device to effect electrochemical reduction of the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A hydrogen fueling system for generating hydrogen on demand is described. The system includes an electrolyzer configured to generate at least a predetermined quantity of hydrogen in a predetermined time when operated at no less than a predetermined current density and provided with at least a predetermined electrical energy over the predetermined time, where the predetermined quantity of hydrogen is at least 1 kg of hydrogen, the predetermined time is no more than 30 minutes, and the predetermined current density is at least 5 A/cm2. The system may further include an electrical energy storage system electrically connected to the electrolyzer and capable of supplying at least 20% of the predetermined electrical energy over the predetermined time. The electrolyzer may include an anode including a plurality of acicular particles dispersed in an ionomer binder, where the acicular particles include iridium.

Abstract: Electrode membrane assembly having an oxygen evolution reaction electrodes, the electrode membrane assembly comprising nanostructured whiskers with at least one of metallic Ir or Ir oxide thereon. These oxygen evolution reaction electrodes when paired with suitable hydrogen evolution electrodes are useful, for example, in generating H2 and O2 from water.

Abstract: Nanoporous oxygen reduction catalyst material comprising at least 90 collectively Pt, Ni, and Ta. The nanoporous oxygen reduction catalyst material is useful, for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising nanostructured elements comprising microstructured whiskers having an outer surface at least partially covered by a catalyst material comprising at least 90 atomic percent collectively Pt, Ni, and Cr, wherein the Pt is present in a range from 32.4 to 35.8 atomic percent, the Ni is present in a range from 57.7 to 63.7 atomic percent, and the Cr is present in a range from 0.5 to 10.0 atomic percent, and wherein the total atomic percent of Pt, Ni, and Cr equals 100. Catalyst described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising nanostmctured elements comprising microstructured whiskers having an outer surface at least partially covered by a catalyst material comprising at least 90 atomic percent collectively Pt, Ni, and Ru, wherein the Pt is present in a range from 33.9 to 35.9 atomic percent, the Ni is present in a range from 60.3 to 63.9 atomic percent, and the Ru is present in a range from 0.5 to 9.9 atomic percent and wherein the total atomic percent of Pt, Ni, and Ru equals 100. Catalyst described herein are useful, 0 for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising nanostructured elements comprising microstructured whiskers having an outer surface at least partially covered by a catalyst material comprising at least 90 atomic percent collectively Pt, Ni, and Ta, wherein the Pt is present in a range from 32.0 to 35.7 atomic percent, the Ni is present in a range from 57.2 to 64.0 atomic percent, and the Ta is present in a range from 0.26 to 10.8 atomic percent, and wherein the total atomic percent of Pt, Ni, and Ta equals 100. Catalyst described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the reduction of carbon dioxide comprising: providing an electrochemical device comprising an anode, a cathode, and a polymeric anion exchange membrane therebetween, wherein the polymeric anion exchange membrane comprises an anion exchange polymer, wherein the anion exchange polymer comprises at least one positively charged group selected from a guanidinium, a guanidinium derivative, an N-alkyl conjugated heterocyclic cation, or combinations thereof; introducing a composition comprising carbon dioxide to the cathode; and applying electrical energy to the electrochemical device to effect electrochemical reduction of the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A water electrolyzer comprises a membrane, a cathode and an anode. The membrane comprises a first membrane layer comprising a first ion-conductive polymer, a second membrane layer comprising a second ion-conductive polymer, and a platinized nanostructured layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The platinized nanostructured layer comprises close-packed whiskers having at least one of platinum or platinum oxide disposed thereon. The cathode is disposed on the membrane and comprises a first catalyst consisting essentially of both metallic Pt and Pt oxide. The anode is disposed on the opposite surface of the membrane and comprises a second catalyst comprising at least 95 percent by weight of collectively metallic Ir and Ir oxide, calculated as elemental Ir, based on the total weight of the second catalyst, wherein at least one of metallic Ir or Ir oxide is present. Membranes and methods of making them are also disclosed.

Abstract: A water electrolyzer comprising a membrane comprising at least one of metallic Pt or Pt oxide, a cathode, and an anode. The cathode comprises a first catalyst consisting essentially of both metallic Pt and Pt oxide. The anode comprising a second catalyst comprising at least 95 percent by weight of collectively metallic Ir and Ir oxide present, calculated as elemental Ir, based on the total weight of the second catalyst.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the reduction of carbon dioxide comprising: providing an electrochemical device comprising an anode, a cathode, and a polymeric anion exchange membrane therebetween, wherein the polymeric anion exchange membrane comprises an anion exchange polymer, wherein the anion exchange polymer comprises at least one positively charged group selected from a guanidinium, a guanidinium derivative, an N-alkyl conjugated heterocyclic cation, or combinations thereof; introducing a composition comprising carbon dioxide to the cathode; and applying electrical energy to the electrochemical device to effect electrochemical reduction of the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Water electrolyzer comprising a membrane having first and second opposed major surfaces, a thickness extending between the first and second major surfaces, and first, second, and third regions equally spaced across the thickness, wherein the first region is the closest region to the first major surface, wherein the second region is the closest region to the second major surface, wherein the third region is located between the first and second regions, wherein the first and third regions are each essentially free of both metallic Pt and Pt oxide, and wherein the second region comprises at least one of metallic Pt or Pt oxide; a cathode comprising a first catalyst on the first major surface of the membrane; and an anode comprising a second catalyst on the second major surface of the membrane.

Abstract: Water electrolyzer comprising a membrane having first and second opposed major surfaces and comprising at least one of metallic Pt or Pt oxide supported by at least one of nanostructured whiskers (e.g., perylene red nanostructured whiskers), carbon nanotubes (e.g., single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) (sometimes referred to as “buckytubes”) or multiple wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT)), fullerenes (sometimes referred to as “buckyballs”), carbon nanofibers, carbon microfibers, graphene, oxide (e.g., at least one of alumina, silica, tin oxide, titania, or zirconia), or clay; a cathode comprising a first catalyst on the first major surface of the membrane; and an anode comprising a second catalyst on the second major surface of the membrane.

Abstract: Electrode membrane assembly having an oxygen evolution reaction electrodes, the electrode membrane assembly comprising nanostructured whiskers with at least one of metallic Ir or Ir oxide thereon. These oxygen evolution reaction electrodes when paired with suitable hydrogen evolution electrodes are useful, for example, in generating H2 and O2 from water.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the reduction of carbon dioxide comprising: providing an electrochemical device comprising an anode, a cathode, and a polymeric anion exchange membrane therebetween, wherein the polymeric anion exchange membrane comprises an anion exchange polymer, wherein the anion exchange polymer comprises at least one positively charged group selected from a guanidinium, a guanidinium derivative, an N-alkyl conjugated heterocyclic cation, or combinations thereof; introducing a composition comprising carbon dioxide to the cathode; and applying electrical energy to the electrochemical device to effect electrochemical reduction of the carbon dioxide.