Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions including Pt—Ni—Cu nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (MPC) having enhanced activity and durability, and method of making said catalyst. The catalyst is synthesized by employing a solid state chemistry method, which involves thermally pretreating a N-doped MPC to remove moisture from the surface; impregnation of metal precursors on the N-doped MPC under vacuum condition; and reducing the metal precurors in a stream of CO and H2 gas mixture.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions including Pt—Ni—Cu nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (MPC) having enhanced activity and durability, and method of making said catalyst. The catalyst is synthesized by employing a solid state chemistry method, which involves thermally pretreating a N-doped MPC to remove moisture from the surface; impregnation of metal precursors on the N-doped MPC under vacuum condition; and reducing the metal precurors in a stream of CO and H2 gas mixture.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions including Pt—Ni—Cu nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (MPC) having enhanced activity and durability, and method of making said catalyst. The catalyst is synthesized by employing a solid state chemistry method, which involves thermally pretreating a N-doped MPC to remove moisture from the surface; impregnation of metal precursors on the N-doped MPC under vacuum condition; and reducing the metal precursors in a stream of CO and H2 gas mixture.

Abstract: A method and system for releasably storing hydrogen and generating electricity including an electrochemical cell including a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte, a microporous separator, an electrical connection between the cathode and the anode, an amine source, a nitrile source, a hydrogen source, and an oxygen source, wherein the electrochemical cell is configured to be operated in a hydrogen storage mode, a hydrogen release mode, and electrical generation mode. The amine/nitrile redox couple provides for full cycle electrochemical conversion of hydrogen under mild conditions.

Abstract: An electrocatalytic material includes a bulk material metal including at least one metal, wherein the bulk material metal is in an amorphous form and includes mesopores. A method for making an electrocatalytic material includes forming an amorphous bulk material metal, and forming mesopores in the amorphous bulk material metal. The bulk material metal may in some instances be selected from an alloy of at least one metal and at least one non-metal selected from phosphorus, boron, nitrogen, carbon, and any combination thereof. The at least one metal may in some instances be selected from iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, titanium, manganese, molybdenum, niobium, zirconium, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions including Pt—Ni—Cu nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (MPC) having enhanced activity and durability, and method of making said catalyst. The catalyst is synthesized by employing a solid state chemistry method, which involves thermally pretreating a N-doped MPC to remove moisture from the surface; impregnation of metal precursors on the N-doped MPC under vacuum condition; and reducing the metal precurors in a stream of CO and H2 gas mixture.

Abstract: Improved oxygen reduction reaction catalysts include octahedral nanoparticles of a platinum-copper-nickel alloy contacted by a secondary ionomer. The alloy can have a formula of Pt2CuNi, and the secondary ionomer can include an ionic liquid, 1-methyl-2,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-9-ium 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate ([MTBD][C4F9SO3]). The oxygen reductions catalysts have improved stability, as well as mass area and specific area comparted to competing catalysts.

Abstract: Methods for making porous materials having metal alloy nanoparticles formed therein are described herein. By preparing a porous material and delivering the precursor solutions under vacuum, the metal precursors can be uniformly embedded within the pores of the porous material. Once absorption is complete, the porous material can be heated in the presence of one or more functional gases to reduce the metal precursors to metal alloy nanoparticles, and embed the metal alloy nanoparticles inside of the pores. As such, the metal alloy nanoparticles can be formed within the pores, while avoiding surface wetting and absorption problems which can occur with small pores.

Abstract: An electrocatalytic material includes a bulk material metal including at least one metal, wherein the bulk material metal is in an amorphous form and includes mesopores. A method for making an electrocatalytic material includes forming an amorphous bulk material metal, and forming mesopores in the amorphous bulk material metal. The bulk material metal may in some instances be selected from an alloy of at least one metal and at least one non-metal selected from phosphorus, boron, nitrogen, carbon, and any combination thereof. The at least one metal may in some instances be selected from iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, titanium, manganese, molybdenum, niobium, zirconium, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst have particles of a first ORR catalytic material in interspersed contact with particles of a second ORR catalytic material. The first and second ORR catalytic materials have different d band centers so that oxygen can adsorb rapidly at a first binding site, be partly reduced, and then transfer to a second site at which reduction is completed and water desorption is rapid. This allows the catalyst to avoid limitations of slow reactant binding and/or slow product release.

Abstract: Methods for making porous materials having metal alloy nanoparticles formed therein are described herein. By preparing a porous material and delivering the precursor solutions under vacuum, the metal precursors can be uniformly embedded within the pores of the porous material. Once absorption is complete, the porous material can be heated in the presence of one or more functional gases to reduce the metal precursors to metal alloy nanoparticles, and embed the metal alloy nanoparticles inside of the pores. As such, the metal alloy nanoparticles can be formed within the pores, while avoiding surface wetting and absorption problems which can occur with small pores.

Abstract: Improved oxygen reduction reaction catalysts include octahedral nanoparticles of a platinum-copper-nickel alloy contacted by a secondary ionomer. The alloy can have a formula of Pt2CuNi, and the secondary ionomer can include an ionic liquid, 1-methyl-2,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-9-ium 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate ([MTBD][C4F9SO3]). The oxygen reductions catalysts have improved stability, as well as mass area and specific area comparted to competing catalysts.

Abstract: A method for making catalysts of noble metal nanoparticles or alloy nanoparticles or both having shaped morphology, the method including the steps of: pretreating a support material; impregnating metal precursors onto the support material; and then reducing the impregnated metal precursors into shaped metal nanoparticles or shaped alloy nanoparticles or both using a functional gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for making catalysts of noble metal nanoparticles or alloy nanoparticles or both having shaped morphology, the method including the steps of: pretreating a support material; impregnating metal precursors onto the support material; and then reducing the impregnated metal precursors into shaped metal nanoparticles or shaped alloy nanoparticles or both using a functional gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of depositing at least one metal skin layer on a metal nanoparticle core is disclosed. The first step of the method is selecting a metal to deposit. Then, the metal nanoparticle core is dispersed in an electrolyte solvent to form a liquid mixture. Next, a hydrogen containing gas is bubbled through the liquid mixture to form a layer of adsorbed hydrogen atoms on the surface of the metal nanoparticle core. Finally, the selected metal is added to the liquid mixture to form a metal skin layer on the metal nanoparticle core.