Abstract: An anode in a Direct Carbon Fuel Cell (DCFC) is provided. The anode includes a cermet anode that can be made of nickel-copper/yttria-stabilized zirconia oxide (Ni—Cu/YSZ) or nickel-copper/gadolina-doped ceria (Ni—Cu/GDC). The surface of the cermet anode is functionalized by decorating it with dispersed catalytic particles. The particles can be made of various materials such as ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), rhenium (Re), osmium, (Os), iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), or any combination of the particles' alloys and mixtures. Decorating is a process where discrete particles are deposited to the anode surface. In general the particles are not able to contact each other and have a well-defined separation. The cermet anode has a graded porous microstructure spanning from a macropore outer region to a submicron inner region, where the pore span is from tens of microns to hundreds of nanometers.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane comprises a hybrid inorganic-organic polymer that includes implanted metal cations. Acid groups are bound to the hybrid inorganic-organic polymer through an interaction with the implanted metal cations. An example process for manufacturing a proton exchange membrane includes sol-gel polymerization of silane precursors in a medium containing the metal cations, followed by exposure of the metal-implanted hybrid inorganic-organic polymer to an acid compound.

Abstract: A composition of matter is formed from a graftable polymer, having graftable sites onto which sidechains have been grafted. The sidechains include at least one silane group, and may be formed by polymerization of a polymerizable group of a silane precursor. These compositions may further include acid groups, and may be used, for example, in improved proton conducting materials in fuel cells.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprises a polymer network, including silicon atoms and oxygen atoms, a first organic side-chain attached to at least some silicon atoms within the polymer network comprising a flexible linking group and a terminal group, the terminal group including at least one atom providing a lone pair of electrons. The composition of matter can be used to form a proton-conducting membrane. In illustrative examples, the polymer network can be an organic-inorganic hybrid network and the terminal group can includes a nitrogen-containing heterocycle.

Abstract: A proton conducting polymer is formed by the copolymerization of a plurality of compounds, including a silicon compound comprising an organic chain, and a compound including at least one acid group. The polymer comprises a hybrid organic-inorganic matrix having acid groups linked through a linking group. The linking group may include one or more electron withdrawing groups. The electron withdrawing group may be a halogen.

Abstract: Polymers, polymer precursors, and other materials are described, having at least one heterocycle and being useful for fabrication of proton-exchange membranes (PEMs). In representative examples, the heterocycle is a fluorinated imidazole ring. The heterocycle can be chosen to have a low value of pKa, and may be a triazole ring, other nitrogen-containing heterocycle, or derivative thereof. Polymers and composites were prepared having excellent proton conductivity. Applications of these materials include fuel cells and other ion-conducting applications.

Abstract: A proton conducting polymer is formed by the copolymerization of a plurality of compounds, including a silicon compound comprising an organic chain, and a compound including at least one acid group. The polymer comprises a hybrid organic-inorganic matrix having acid groups linked through a linking group. The linking group may include one or more electron withdrawing groups. The electron withdrawing group may be a halogen.

Abstract: Flexible proton electrolyte membranes, fuel cells, and methods for making membranes are disclosed. One exemplary membrane, among others, includes a flexible proton electrolyte membrane having the characteristic of a proton conductivity of about 1×10−6 to 1×10−1 S/cm at a temperature range of about 30° C. to about 180° C. and a relative humidity of about 0% to 100%.