Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane electrode assembly comprising at least two electrochemically active electrodes which are separated by at least one polymer electrolyte membrane, the aforementioned polymer electrolyte membrane having at least one reinforcement, wherein the reinforcement comprises at least one film which has holes through which the polymer electrolyte membrane is in contact with both electrochemically active electrodes. The membrane electrode assembly is suitable for applications in fuel cells, especially in high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Abstract: Catalyst ink comprising one or more catalyst materials, a solvent component and at least one acid, an electrode comprising at least one catalyst ink according to the present invention, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least one electrode according to the invention or comprising at least one catalyst ink according to the present invention, a fuel cell comprising at least one membrane-electrode assembly according to the invention and also a process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly according to the present invention.

Abstract: Catalyst comprising a support and a catalytically active material for use as heterogeneous catalyst for electrochemical reactions, wherein the support is a carbon support having a BET surface area of less than 50 m2/g. The invention further relates to the use of the catalyst as electrode catalyst in a fuel cell.

Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst material comprising an electrically conducting support material, a proton-conducting, polyazole-based polymer and a catalytically active material. A catalyst material prepared by the process of the invention. A catalyst ink comprising a catalyst material of the invention and a solvent. A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane and also catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the present invention. A gas diffusion electrode (GDE) comprising a gas diffusion layer and a catalytically active layer comprising a catalyst material of the invention. A membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the invention, and gas diffusion layers. And a fuel cell comprising a membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention.

Abstract: A catalyst material comprising an electrically conducting support material, a proton-conducting, acid-doped polymer based on a polyazole salt, and a catalytically active material. A process for preparing the catalyst material. A catalyst material prepared by the process of the invention. A catalyst ink comprising the catalyst material of the invention and a solvent. A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane and also catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the present invention. A gas diffusion electrode (GDE) comprising a gas diffusion layer and a catalytically active layer comprising a catalyst material of the invention. A membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the invention, and gas diffusion layers. And a fuel cell comprising a membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for electro-chemical applications comprising an alloy of platinum and a transition metal, wherein the transition metal has an absorption edge similar to the absorption edge of the transition metal in oxidic state, measured with x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) wherein the measurements are performed in concentrated H3PO4 electrolyte. The invention further relates to a process for an oxygen reduction reaction using the catalyst as electrocatalyst.

Abstract: Catalyst ink comprising one or more catalyst materials, a liquid medium and polymer particles comprising one or more proton-conducting polymers, an electrode comprising at least one catalyst ink according to the present invention, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least one electrode according to the invention or comprising at least one catalyst ink according to the present invention, a fuel cell comprising at least one membrane-electrode assembly according to the invention and also a process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly according to the present invention.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly, comprising at least one phosphoric acid-containing polymer electrolyte membrane and at least one gas diffusion electrode, said gas diffusion electrode comprising: i. at least one catalyst layer and ii. at least one gas diffusion medium having at least two gas diffusion layers, the first gas diffusion layer comprising an electrically conductive macroporous layer in which the pores have a mean pore diameter in the range from 10 ?m to 30 ?m, the second gas diffusion layer comprising an electrically conductive macroporous layer in which the pores have a mean pore diameter in the range from 10 ?m to 30 ?m, the gas diffusion medium comprising polytetrafluoroethylene, the first gas diffusion layer having a higher polytetrafluoroethylene concentration than the second gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: Proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane based on a polyazole salt of an inorganic or organic acid which is doped with an acid as electrolyte, wherein the polyazole salt of the organic or inorganic acid has a lower solubility in the acid used as electrolyte than the polyazole salt of the acid used as electrolyte, a process for producing the inventive proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least two electrochemically active electrodes which are separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is a proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane according to the invention, and a fuel cell comprising at least one membrane-electrode assembly according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved polymer membranes, to processes for production thereof and to the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the continuous production of a catalyst comprising an alloy of a metal of the platinum group and at least a second metal as alloying metal selected from among the metals of the platinum group and the transition metals, in which a catalyst comprising the metal of the platinum group is mixed with at least one complex each comprising the alloying metal to give an alloy precursor and the alloy precursor is heated in a continuously operated furnace to produce the alloy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst ink comprising at least one catalytically active material and at least one ionic liquid, a process for producing this catalyst ink, a process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) comprising at least one membrane and at least one electrode by applying this catalyst ink to a membrane or by applying this catalyst ink to any gas diffusion layer present, the use of this catalyst ink in the production of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), a catalyst coated membrane (CCM) or a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) and the use of an ionic liquid for producing a catalyst ink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly comprising an anode catalyst layer (13), a polymer electrolyte membrane (1) and a cathode catalyst layer (14) and to a fuel cell comprising such a membrane-electrode assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least one membrane, at least two electrode layers and at least one barrier layer, wherein the at least one barrier layer comprises at least one catalytically active species and/or at least one adsorbent material and the barrier layer is electronically nonconductive when a catalytically active species is present, the use of such a barrier layer in a membrane-electrode assembly and in a fuel cell, and also a gas-diffusion electrode and a fuel cell comprising such a membrane-electrode assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and/or methods for determining the availability of electrical energy in two-energy accumulator vehicle electric systems, in which both energy accumulators, particularly batteries, can be connected to one another via a D.C. converter. The required electric energy is generated by means of a generator that is driven by a vehicle engine. The customary consumers are connected to a first consumer battery circuit (10, 24). Additional consumer, for example, high-current consumers, particularly the starter, are connected to the second battery circuit (11, 29). A control device, for example, a controller that is equipped with a microprocessor determines the availability of the electric energy and occurring faults while evaluating.

Abstract: Devices and/or methods for determining the availability of electrical energy in dual energy-storing means and on-board electrical systems, in which the two energy-storing means, in particular batteries, can communicate with one another via a direct-voltage converter. The requisite electrical energy is generated by means of a generator driven by the vehicle engine. The usual consumers are connected to a first consumer battery circuit 10, 24. Further consumers, such as high-current consumers and in particular the starter, communicate with the second battery circuit 11, 29. A control unit, for instance a control unit with a microprocessor, ascertains the availability of the electrical energy and any defects that occur by evaluating various algorithms and performs the requisite triggering and signalling operations. The algorithms include threshold value statements on the availability of the electrical energy (SOCS) and threshold value statements for detecting system defects (SOHS).

Abstract: A method for measuring fitness for use of a storage battery subject to electric loading including determining a load profile (current profile I(t) or power profile P(t)) as a function of time t, for the storage battery, recording an actual voltage response U(t) of the storage battery to the load profile or calculating a voltage response U(t) of the storage battery to the load profile, and determining a fitness for use value SOH for the storage battery based on the difference between a lowest (highest) voltage value Umin (Umax) during application of the load profile to the storage battery, and based on a voltage limiting value U1, wherein U1 is a voltage value which may not be undershot (overshot) by the voltage U(t) at any time t during which the load profile is applied to the storage battery.