Abstract: A reinforced ion-conducting membrane comprises a planar reinforcing component which comprises a porous polymer material; an ion-conducting component embedded in at least a region of the planar reinforcing component, which ion-conducting component comprises an ion-conducting polymer material; and linking groups which are chemically bonded to both the planar reinforcing component and the ion-conducting component. The reinforced ion-conducting membrane is useful as the membrane in a membrane-electrode assembly for example as used in fuel cells.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of a perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer from a component comprising a perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer is disclosed, the process comprising immersing the component comprising the perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer in a solvent comprising an aliphatic diol and heating. Also disclosed is the use of the recovered perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer, for example in to prepared a proton conducting membrane or a catalyst ink.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of a perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer from a component comprising a perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer is disclosed, the process comprising immersing the component comprising the perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer in a solvent comprising an aliphatic diol and heating. Also disclosed is the use of the recovered perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer, for example in to prepared a proton conducting membrane or a catalyst ink.

Abstract: A reinforced ion-conducting membrane comprises a planar reinforcing component which comprises a porous polymer material; an ion-conducting component embedded in at least a region of the planar reinforcing component, which ion-conducting component comprises an ion-conducting polymer material; and linking groups which are chemically bonded to both the planar reinforcing component and the ion-conducting component. The reinforced ion-conducting membrane is useful as the membrane in a membrane-electrode assembly for example as used in fuel cells.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of a perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer from a component comprising a perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer is disclosed, the process comprising immersing the component comprising the perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer in a solvent comprising an aliphatic diol and heating. Also disclosed is the use of the recovered perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer, for example in to prepared a proton conducting membrane or a catalyst ink.

Abstract: A platinum alloy catalyst PtXY, wherein X is nickel, cobalt, chromium, copper, titanium or manganese and Y is tantalum or niobium, characterised in that in the alloy the atomic percentage of platinum is 46-75 at %, of X is 1-49 at % and of Y is 1-35 at %; provided that the alloy is not 66 at % Pt20 at % Cr14 at % Ta or 50 at % Pt, 25 at % Co, 25 at % Ta is disclosed. The catalyst has particular use as an oxygen reduction catalyst in fuel cells, and in particular in phosphoric acid fuel cells.

Abstract: A platinum alloy catalyst PtXY, wherein X is nickel, cobalt, chromium, copper, titanium or manganese and Y is tantalum or niobium, characterised in that in the alloy the atomic percentage of platinum is 46-75 at %, of X is 1-49 at % and of Y is 1-35 at %; provided that the alloy is not 66 at % Pt20 at % Cr14 at % Ta or 50 at % Pt, 25 at % Co, 25 at % Ta is disclosed. The catalyst has particular use as an oxygen reduction catalyst in fuel cells, and in particular in phosphoric acid fuel cells.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of a perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer from a component comprising a perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer is disclosed, the process comprising immersing the component comprising the perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer in a solvent comprising an aliphatic diol and heating. Also disclosed is the use of the recovered perfluorosulphonic acid ionomer, for example in to prepared a proton conducting membrane or a catalyst ink.

Abstract: A platinum alloy catalyst PtXY, wherein X is nickel, cobalt, chromium, copper, titanium or manganese and Y is tantalum or niobium, characterised in that in the alloy the atomic percentage of platinum is 46-75 at %, of X is 1-49 at % and of Y is 1-35 at %; provided that the alloy is not 66 at % Pt20 at % Cr14 at % Ta or 50 at % Pt, 25 at % Co, 25 at % Ta is disclosed. The catalyst has particular use as an oxygen reduction catalyst in fuel cells, and in particular in phosphoric acid fuel cells.

Abstract: A membrane, suitable for use in a fuel cell comprises: (a) a central region comprising an ion-conducting polymeric material; (b) a border region which creates a frame around the central region and which consists of one or more non-ion-conducting materials wherein at least one of the one or more non-ion-conducting materials forms a layer; wherein the non-ion-conducting material of the border region overlaps the ion-conducting polymeric material of the central region by 0 to 10 mm in an overlap region.

Abstract: A platinum alloy catalyst PtXY, wherein X is nickel, cobalt, chromium, copper, titanium or manganese and Y is tantalum or niobium, characterised in that in the alloy the atomic percentage of platinum is 46-75 at %, of X is 1-49 at % and of Y is 1-35 at %; provided that the alloy is not 66 at % Pt 20 at % Cr14 at % Ta or 50 at % Pt, 25 at % Co, 25 at % Ta is disclosed. The catalyst has particular use as an oxygen reduction catalyst in fuel cells, and in particular in phosphoric acid fuel cells.

Abstract: A membrane, suitable for use in a fuel cell, comprises: (a) a central region comprising an ion-conducting polymeric material; (b) a border region which creates a frame around the central region and which consists of one or more non-ion-conducting materials wherein at least one of the one or more non-ion-conducting materials forms a layer; wherein the non-ion-conducting material of the border region overlaps the ion-conducting polymeric material of the central region by 0 to 10 mm in an overlap region.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly having a peripheral edge region and a central region. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an ion-conducting membrane, first and second electrocatalyst layers disposed either side of the ion-conducting membrane, and first and second gas diffusion layers disposed either side of the first and second electrocatalyst layers respectively. The membrane electrode assembly further comprises an edge protection member, the edge protection member comprising a film layer, a bonding layer, and one or more additives selected from the group consisting of free radical decomposition catalyst, self regenerating antioxidant, hydrogen donors (H-donor) primary antioxidant, free radical scavenger secondary antioxidant, oxygen absorbers (oxygen scavenger) and elemental palladium.

Abstract: A platinum alloy catalyst PtXY, wherein X is nickel, cobalt, chromium, copper, titanium or manganese and Y is tantalum or niobium, characterised in that in the alloy the atomic percentage of platinum is 46-75 at %, of X is 1-49 at % and of Y is 1-35 at %; provided that the alloy is not 66 at % Pt20 at % Cr14 at % Ta or 50 at % Pt, 25 at % Co, 25 at % Ta is disclosed. The catalyst has particular use as an oxygen reduction catalyst in fuel cells, and in particular in phosphoric acid fuel cells.

Abstract: An ion-conducting membrane structure comprising (i) an ion-conducting membrane wherein said membrane has a first face and a second face, (ii) a first hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst and (iii) a first radical scavenger, wherein the first hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst is in a first layer on the first face of the ion-conducting membrane in an amount from 0.01 to 15 ?g/cm2 or the first hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst in embedded within the ion-conducting membrane in an amount from 0.001 to 5% by weight is disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly having a peripheral edge region and a central region. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an ion-conducting membrane, first and second electrocatalyst layers disposed either side of the ion-conducting membrane, and first and second gas diffusion layers disposed either side of the first and second electrocatalyst layers respectively. The membrane electrode assembly further comprises an edge protection member, the edge protection member comprising a film layer, a bonding layer, and one or more additives selected from the group consisting of free radical decomposition catalyst, self regenerating antioxidant, hydrogen donors (H-donor) primary antioxidant, free radical scavenger secondary antioxidant, oxygen absorbers (oxygen scavenger) and elemental palladium.

Abstract: A novel anode structure for making a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) tolerant to incidences of cell reversal includes an electrocatalyst layer having at least one electrocatalyst and at least one proton conducting polymer. The anode structure also includes one or more water retaining material(s), such as carbon nanofibers, embedded within the electrocatalyst layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane electrode assembly wherein each gas diffusion substrate comprises a porous electrically conductive gasket member is located on the first and second planar faces of a peripheral portion of the sheet material. The electrocatalyst layers are not present adjacent to the gasket members and the edge of the membrane is sandwiched between the gasket members. The invention further relates to integrated cell assemblies and fuel cell stacks comprising membrane electrode assemblies according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite membrane comprising at least one ion-conducting polymer and a network of randomly orientated individual fibers, wherein there is a continuous region of the membrane at one or both of the membrane faces wherein the density of fibers is lower than the density of fibers in the membrane as a whole. The invention further relates to processes for manufacturing membranes according to the invention, and membrane electrode assemblies comprising membranes according to the invention.

Abstract: A novel flexible non-woven carbon fibre gas diffusion substrate comprising a plurality of first carbon fibres orientated in the x-, y- and optionally z-directions, said first fibres being bonded with a thermoplastic polymeric substance, and a carbon based filler material, characterised, in that the flexible non-woven carbon fibre gas diffusion substrate has a total density of greater than 0.35 g/cm3, and a gas diffusion electrode obtained therefrom is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for the manufacture of the substrate and electrode.