Abstract: The invention relates to polymer nanocomposites comprising synthesized lamellar nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer matrix. The lamellar nanoparticles are synthetically made in a one-step operation by supramolecular assembly of a surfactant and a inorganic precursor and are exfoliated inside the polymer matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer nanocomposites comprising synthesized lamellar nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer matrix. The lamellar nanoparticles are synthetically made in a one-step operation by supramolecular assembly of a surfactant and a inorganic precursor and are exfoliated inside the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a cross-linked, sulfonated, proton exchange membrane for fuel cells, which includes: providing a sulfonated polymer, for example SPEEK; dissolving the sulfonated polymer in a polar casting solvent; adding at least one polyol cross-linking agent to obtain a solution, the cross-linking agent being added in a ratio of at least 1 polyol molecules per repeat unit of the sulfonated polymer to generate cross-linking; casting the solution to obtain the membrane; and curing the membrane.

Abstract: The oxide materials are of the class of ternary mesoporous mixed oxide materials including lanthanum, a metal M selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn, and zirconium or cerium such a mesoporous La—Co—Zr mixed oxide material designated as Meso LCZ[x] where x is the atomic ratio (La+Co)/La+Co+Zr. They are useful as catalysts since they show high activities for hydrocarbon oxidation and good resistance against poisoning agents. These highly ordered mesoporous mixed oxides are synthesized by: preparing an amorphous solution of a La-M precursor and adding a salt of zirconium or cerium thereto; acidifying the amorphous solution in the presence of a surfactant under conditions to obtain a clear homogeneous solution; adjusting pH of the solution under conditions to form a solid precipitate; separating the solution and surfactant from the precipitate; and calcinating the precipitate.

Abstract: Highly ordered mesoporous silica molecular materials are prepared using sodium silicate as a silica source, sulfuric acid and nonionic poly(alkylene oxide) surfactants or nonionic amphiphilic bloc copolymers as structure-directing agents. The mesoporous silica materials obtained have hexagonal and cubic structures, uniform pore size and high surface areas.

Abstract: Highly ordered mesoporous silica molecular materials are prepared using sodium silicate as a silica source, sulfuric acid and nonionic poly(alkylene oxide) surfactants or nonionic amphiphilic bloc copolymers as structure-directing agents. The mesoporous silica materials obtained have hexagonal and cubic structures, uniform pore size and high surface areas.

Abstract: Metal oxides having a perovskite or perovskite-like crystal structure are prepared by a process comprising subjecting a mixture of starring powders to a high energy milling sufficient to induce chemical reaction of the components and thereby directly mechanosynthesize said metal oxide in the form of a perovskite or a perovskite-like material having a nanocrystalline structure as determined by X-ray diffractometry. The process according to the present invention is simple, efficient, not expensive and does not require any heating step for producing a perovskite that may easily show a very high specific surface area. Another advantage is that the perovskite obtained according to the present invention also has a high density of lattice defects thereby showing a higher catalytic activity, a characteristic which is highly desirable in their eventual application as catalysts and electronic conductors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite electrolyte membranes for fuel cells and methods of making same. More specifically, the present invention is directed to proton-conducting membranes for fuel cell applications. The present invention further describes materials which reach high intrinsic proton conductivity and are suitable for use as electrolytic membranes in methanol fuel cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to ternary mesoporous mixed oxide materials which comprise lanthanum, a metal M selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn, and zirconium or cerium. The mesoporous mixed oxides of the present invention are a new class of SO2 resistant catalysts for hydrocarbon oxidation. They are characterized by having substantially uniform pore size, high surface area, high component dispersion, and nano-crystalline channel walls after calcinating at a temperature superior to 450° C., having high activities for hydrocarbon oxidation, and good resistance against poisoning agents. This invention also relates to a method for preparing these mesoporous mixed oxide materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mesoporous zeolitic material having a stereoregular arrangement of uniformly-sized mesopores with diameters ranging from 20 to 500 Å and walls having a microporous nanocrystalline structure. The mesopore walls have a stereoregular arrangement of uniformly-sized micropores with diameters less than 15 Å. The mesoporous zeolite material according to the invention displays both the catalytic properties associated with zeolites containing strong Brönsted acid sites and the large mesopore surface area associated with mesoporous molecular sieves.

Abstract: Perovskite-type structure compounds having the general empirical formula ABO.sub.3 are prepared by a process comprising subjecting a mixture of starting powders formulated to contain the components represented by A and B in the formula to a high energy milling sufficient to induce chemical reaction of the components and thereby synthesize a mechanically-alloyed powder comprising the perovskite in the form of nanostructural particles. The process according to the present invention is simple, efficient, not expensive and does not require any heating step for producing a perovskite that may easily show a very high specific surface area. Another advantage is that the perovskite obtained according to the present invention also has a high density of lattice defects thereby showing a higher catalytic activity, a characteristic which is highly desirable in their eventual application as catalysts and electronic conductors.