Abstract: An all-solid-state lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and a solid electrolyte arranged between the positive and negative electrodes, to conduct lithium ions. In the all-solid-state lithium secondary battery, a mixed layer is in close contact with a surface of the solid electrolyte adjacent to the positive electrode, the mixed layer containing the positive-electrode active material and (Lix(1??), Mx?/?)?+(B1?y, Ay)z+O2?? (wherein in the formula, M and A each represent at least one or more elements selected from C, Al, Si, Ga, Ge, In, and Sn, ? satisfies 0??<1, ? represents the valence of M, ? represents the average valence of (Li+x(1??), M?), y satisfies 0?y<1, z represents the average valence of (B1?y, Ay) and x, ?, ?, ?, z, and ? satisfy the relational expression (x(1??)+x?/?)?+z=2?) serving as a matrix.

Abstract: An all-solid lithium secondary battery 20 includes a solid electrolyte layer 10 composed of a garnet-type oxide, a positive electrode 12 formed on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer 10 and a negative electrode 14 formed on the other surface of the solid electrolyte layer 10. This all-solid lithium secondary battery 20 includes an integrally sintered complex of the solid electrolyte layer 10 and the positive electrode active material layer 12a. This complex is obtained by integrally sintering a stacked structure of an active material layer and a solid electrolyte layer. The solid electrolyte layer includes: abase material mainly including a fundamental composition of Li7+X?Y(La3?x,Ax) (Zr2?Y,TY)O12, wherein A is one or more of Sr and Ca, T is one or more of Nb and Ta, and 0?X?1.0 and 0?Y<0.75 are satisfied, as a main component; and an additive component including lithium borate and aluminum oxide.

Abstract: There is provided an organic polymer porous body having a first cyclic structure equipped with a 6-membered ring (A) or a 5-membered ring having three bonds; a second cyclic structure equipped with a 6-membered ring (B) having two or three bonds; and a carbon-carbon triple bond that links the first cyclic structure to the second cyclic structure. At least one of the first cyclic structure and the second cyclic structure contains at least one nitrogen atom.

Abstract: An all-solid-state lithium ion secondary battery containing a novel garnet-type oxide serving as a solid electrolyte. The garnet-type lithium ion-conducting oxide is one represented by the formula Li5+XLa3(ZrX, A2-X)O12, wherein A is at least one selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Y, Nb, Hf, Ta, Al, Si, Ga, Ge, and Sn and X satisfies the inequality 1.4?X<2, or is one obtained by substituting an element having an ionic radius different from that of Zr for Zr sites in an garnet-type lithium ion-conducting oxide represented by the formula Li7La3Zr2O12, wherein the normalized intensity of an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern with a diffraction peak, as normalized on the basis of the intensity of a diffraction peak, is 9.2 or more.

Abstract: An all-solid lithium secondary battery 20 includes a solid electrolyte layer 10 composed of a garnet-type oxide, a positive electrode 12 formed on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer 10 and a negative electrode 14 formed on the other surface of the solid electrolyte layer 10. This all-solid lithium secondary battery 20 includes an integrally sintered complex of the solid electrolyte layer 10 and the positive electrode active material layer 12a. This complex is obtained by integrally sintering a stacked structure of an active material layer and a solid electrolyte layer. The solid electrolyte layer includes: abase material mainly including a fundamental composition of Li7+X?Y(La3?x,Ax) (Zr2?Y,TY)O12, wherein A is one or more of Sr and Ca, T is one or more of Nb and Ta, and 0?X?1.0 and 0?Y<0.75 are satisfied, as a main component; and an additive component including lithium borate and aluminum oxide.

Abstract: There is provided an organic polymer porous body having a first cyclic structure equipped with a 6-membered ring (A) or a 5-membered ring having three bonds; a second cyclic structure equipped with a 6-membered ring (B) having two or three bonds; and a carbon-carbon triple bond that links the first cyclic structure to the second cyclic structure. At least one of the first cyclic structure and the second cyclic structure contains at least one nitrogen atom.

Abstract: An all-solid-state lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and a solid electrolyte arranged between the positive and negative electrodes, to conduct lithium ions. In the all-solid-state lithium secondary battery, a mixed layer is in close contact with a surface of the solid electrolyte adjacent to the positive electrode, the mixed layer containing the positive-electrode active material and (Lix(1??), Mx?/?)?+(B1?y, Ay)z+O2?? (wherein in the formula, M and A each represent at least one or more elements selected from C, Al, Si, Ga, Ge, In, and Sn, ? satisfies 0??<1, ? represents the valence of M, ? represents the average valence of (Li+x(1??), M?), y satisfies 0?y<1, z represents the average valence of (B1?y, Ay) and x, ?, ?, ?, z, and ? satisfy the relational expression (x(1??)+x?/?)?+z=2?) serving as a matrix.

Abstract: A transition metal silicide-Si composite powder and a method of manufacturing the composite powder are provided, the composite powder containing one or more transition metal elements (M), and having a Si/M ratio (z) of 2.0?z?20.0 and a specific surface area of 2.5 m2/g or more. In addition, CaSiy-based powder for manufacturing transition metal silicide-Si composite powder and a method of manufacturing the CaSiy-based powder are provided, the CaSiy-based powder having a Si/Ca ratio (w) of 2.0?w?20.0 and containing at least a Ca-silicide phase.

Abstract: An all-solid-state lithium ion secondary battery containing a novel garnet-type oxide serving as a solid electrolyte. The garnet-type lithium ion-conducting oxide is one represented by the formula Li5+XLa3(ZrX, A2-X)O12, wherein A is at least one selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Y, Nb, Hf, Ta, Al, Si, Ga, Ge, and Sn and X satisfies the inequality 1.4?X<2, or is one obtained by substituting an element having an ionic radius different from that of Zr for Zr sites in an garnet-type lithium ion-conducting oxide represented by the formula Li7La3Zr2O12, wherein the normalized intensity of an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern with a diffraction peak, as normalized on the basis of the intensity of a diffraction peak, is 9.2 or more.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode which can improve the catalyst utilization rate by having the catalyst component supported at a high density and high dispersion is provided. An aqueous solution containing chloroplatinic acid and aniline is prepared. For an electrode diffusion layer, a carbon paper is soaked in a Teflon® dispersion solution and then dried. One side of the electrode diffusion layer is placed in contact with the liquid surface of the solution, and a counter-electrode made of graphite is provided in the solution. A constant electrical current is applied between them, with the electrode diffusion layer side as the positive electrode. As a result, aniline is oxidatively polymerized by electrochemical means, and a uniform layer of platinum-containing polyaniline is formed on the electrode diffusion layer surface. The platinum in the polyaniline is reduced, and this is washed with pure water and dried to make the electrode.

Abstract: This invention provides a catalyst for a fuel cell electrode, a process for producing a catalyst for a fuel cell electrode, a membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cell, which are advantageous in suppressing aggregation of a carbon support such as carbon nanotubes, and in closely contacting the three of the carbon support, a catalyst component and an electrolyte component with each other. A catalyst for a fuel cell electrode contains a carbon support (e.g., CNTs) having a pi-conjugated system, an electrolyte component having an aromatic ring, and a catalyst component. A process for producing a catalyst for a fuel cell electrode. By contacting, in a solvent, a carbon support (e.g., CNTs) having a pi-conjugated system, an electrolyte component having an aromatic ring, and a catalyst component with each other, the carbon support can be modified with the electrolyte component and loaded with the catalyst component.

Abstract: A flooding phenomenon is suppressed in a high current density loading region so as to attempt the improvement of cell performance of fuel cells. An electrode catalyst for fuel cells, in which a catalyst comprising an alloy catalyst composed of a noble metal and one or more transition metals and having surface characteristics such that it shows a pH value in water of 6.0 or more is supported on conductive carriers, and a fuel cell using such electrode catalyst for fuel cells, are provided.

Abstract: A carbon gel composite material including: a carbon gel which is composed of primary particles with an average particle diameter of 2 to 50 nm, where no x-ray diffraction peaks are observed over a scan angle (2?) range of 0.5 to 10° (CuK60 radiation) and where in a pore size distribution calculated from an adsorption/desorption isotherm, if a pore diameter corresponding to the peak of the pore size distribution is not smaller than 1 nm and is smaller than 10 nm (pore diameter (d)), pores accounting for 60% or more of the total pore volume have a pore diameter within plus or minus 2 nm of the pore diameter (d), and if a pore diameter corresponding to the peak of the pore size distribution is in a range of 10 to 50 nm (pore diameter (D)), pores accounting for 60% or more of the total pore volume have a pore diameter in a range of (0.75×D) to (1.25×D); and at least one adsorbed component selected from the group consisting of proteins, metal complexes and metals, which is adsorbed on the carbon gel.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention attains simple and accurate evaluation of the performance of a fuel cell and enables produce of a high-performance electrode catalyst and a high-performance fuel cell. The procedure makes platinum, a noble metal, and iron, a base metal, carried on carbon having a large specific surface area, and heats up the carbon with platinum and iron to a specific temperature to reduce iron. A resulting platinum-iron alloy electrode catalyst exerts excellent catalytic functions. A fuel cell using this electrode catalyst has a high IR compensation voltage. The quantity of carbon monoxide adsorbed by this novel electrode catalyst is not less than 14 Ncc per one gram of platinum. The atomic number ratio of iron (Fe) to platinum (Pt) in the catalyst is not lower than 0.14 by EDX analysis, and the ratio of the binding number of Pt atom with Fe atom to the total binding number relating to Pt atom is not lower than 0.10 by EXAFS analysis.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell includes a conductive support, and catalytic particles loaded on the conductive support. The catalytic particles include platinum and a base metal being on the lower end of the electrochemical series with respect to platinum. The number of the atoms of the base metal, forming metallic oxides without alloying with the platinum, is less than 5 atomic % of the number of the atoms of the platinum on a surface of the catalytic particles. The electrode catalyst is produced by loading the platinum and base metal on the conductive support, alloying the platinum and base metal thereon by a heat treatment, thereby making the catalytic particles, and removing metallic oxides from a surface of the catalytic particles. The electrode catalyst is less expensive comparatively, exhibits high catalytic activities, and hardly lowers the battery performance of fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel-cell electrode and a method of manufacturing the fuel-cell electrode achieves a high catalyst utilization ratio and makes it possible to obtain higher output characteristics with a smaller amount of catalyst. The fuel-cell electrode includes a catalytic layer composed of an ion conductive substance, an electron conductive substance and catalytic activation substances. The catalytic activation substances are electrolytically deposited on the electron conductive substance.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode which can improve the catalyst utilization rate by having the catalyst component supported at a high density and high dispersion is provided. An aqueous solution containing chloroplatinic acid and aniline is prepared. For an electrode diffusion layer, a carbon paper is soaked in a Teflon® dispersion solution and then dried. One side of the electrode diffusion layer is placed in contact with the liquid surface of the solution, and a counter-electrode made of graphite is provided in the solution. A constant electrical current is applied between them, with the electrode diffusion layer side as the positive electrode. As a result, aniline is oxidatively polymerized by electrochemical means, and a uniform layer of platinum-containing polyaniline is formed on the electrode diffusion layer surface. The platinum in the polyaniline is reduced, and this is washed with pure water and dried to make the electrode.

Abstract: In a powder-form electrode catalyzer for a fuel cell which comprises catalyst particles that contain platinum, and an electrically conductive support supporting the catalyst particles, the ratio between a mean value D111 of crystallite diameters of catalyst particles in a direction perpendicular to a (111) crystal face and a mean value D100 of crystallite diameters of the catalyst particles in a direction perpendicular to a (100) crystal face is D100/D111<1, and a mean crystallite diameter of the catalyst particles is at most 5 nm. Due to a large surface area that functions as a catalyst and a great proportion of the catalyst particles that have (100) crystal faces present on surfaces, the electrode catalyzer has high oxygen reduction activity.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell includes a conductive support, and catalytic particles loaded on the conductive support. The catalytic particles include platinum and a base metal being on the lower end of the electrochemical series with respect to platinum. The number of the atoms of the base metal, forming metallic oxides without alloying with the platinum, is less than 5 atomic % of the number of the atoms of the platinum on a surface of the catalytic particles. The electrode catalyst is produced by loading the platinum and base metal on the conductive support, alloying the platinum and base metal thereon by a heat treatment, thereby making the catalytic particles, and removing metallic oxides from a surface of the catalytic particles. The electrode catalyst is less expensive comparatively, exhibits high catalytic activities, and hardly lowers the battery performance of fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel-cell electrode and a method of manufacturing the fuel-cell electrode achieves a high catalyst utilization ratio and makes it possible to obtain higher output characteristics with a smaller amount of catalyst. The fuel-cell electrode includes a catalytic layer composed of an ion conductive substance, an electron conductive substance and catalytic activation substances. The catalytic activation substances are electrolytically deposited on the electron conductive substance.