Abstract: There is provided a catalyst for producing hydrogen comprising a porous body, as a support, comprising either one of an amorphous phase oxide and a composite oxide containing titanium and zirconium in which titanium has a mol ratio of 5 to 75% and zirconium has a mol ratio of 25 to 95% to the sum of these two, the porous body having a micro-hole diameter distribution peak in the range of 3 nm to 30 nm; and catalytic active metal grains carried on the a gas contact surface of the support, and the catalytic active metal has a content of 1 to 30% by mass to the sum of the porous body and the catalytic active metal, and a method of manufacturing thereof. This suppresses sintering or coking causing activity deterioration, thereby minimizing reaction ratio variations with time. A fuel reformer having the above catalyst, and a fuel cell having the fuel reformer are also provided.

Abstract: An oxide-ion conductor has the formula Ln1?xAxGa1?y?xB1YB2z oxide, wherein Ln is at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm; A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ca and Ba; B1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al and In; B2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Ni and Cu; x is 0.05 to 0.3; y is 0 to 0.29; z is 0.01 to 0.3; and y+z is 0.025 to 0.3. The oxide-ion conductor exhibits higher oxide-ion conductivity than stabilized zirconia, excellent heat resistance and also high ion conductivity even at low temperatures, as well as exhibiting low oxygen-partial-pressure dependence of ion conductivity.

Abstract: An oxide-ion conductor has the formula Ln1-xAxGa1-y-xB1yB2z oxide, wherein Ln is at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm; A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ca and Ba; B1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al and In; B2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Ni and Cu; x is 0.05 to 0.3; y is 0 to 0.29; z is 0.01 to 0.3; and y+z is 0.025 to 0.3. The oxide-ion conductor exhibits higher oxide-ion conductivity than stabilized zirconia, excellent heat resistance and also high ion conductivity even at low temperatures, as well as exhibiting low oxygen-partial-pressure dependence of ion conductivity.

Abstract: By employing a 1% potassium-added cobalt catalyst prepared by adding potassium to cobalt as a catalyst for depositing carbon from mixed gas containing a carbon source, it was possible to lower the optimum catalyst temperature from 510-520° C. to 410-430° C., increase the maximum conversion ratio from 6.8% to 18.0% and increase both of the mean conversion ratio and the carbon deposition quantity as compared with the case of employing a catalyst of simple cobalt.

Abstract: A method for decomposing a perfluorocarbon in the presence of water vapor or water vapor and molecular oxygen in gas phase, in which a catalyst of a phosphate comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, alkali earth metal, titanium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, yttrium, rare earth metal, vanadium, niobium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel, and phosphorus oxide, is used.

Abstract: An oxide ion mixed conductive substance has the formula of A.sub.1-x Ca.sub.x Ga.sub.1-y B.sub.y oxide, wherein A is at least one lanthanoid element having a trivalent octacoordinated ion radius of 1.05 to 1.15 .ANG., B is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Ni and Cu, x is 0.05 to 0.3, y is 0.05 to 0.3. The oxide ion mixed conductive substance has the perovskite structure.

Abstract: A method for decomposing a perfluorocarbon in the presence of water vapor or water vapor and molecular oxygen in gas phase, in which a catalyst of a phosphate comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, alkali earth metal, titanium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, yttrium, rare earth metal, vanadium, niobium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel, and phosphorus oxide, is used.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin zirconia film comprises the steps: (a) preparing a suspension in which partially-stabilized or stabilized zirconia particles having electric charges are dispersed in a solvent; (b) positioning a pair of electrodes in the suspension; (c) applying an electric field between the electrodes, said zirconia particles moving to the electrode and said zirconia particles being deposited on the electrode electrochemically; and (d) sintering the zirconia film to form a partially-stabilized or stabilized thin zirconia film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing long silicon nitride whiskers. The production method encompasses reacting diatomaceous earth on a carbon boat in a gas flow composed of a reducing agent and a nitriding agent at a temperature of 1,200.degree.-1,700.degree. C.