Abstract: The invention relates to platinum-coated particles useful as fuel cell electrocatalysts. The particles are composed of a noble metal or metal alloy core at least partially encapsulated by an atomically thin surface layer of platinum atoms. The invention particularly relates to such particles having a palladium, palladium alloy, gold alloy, or rhenium alloy core encapsulated by an atomic monolayer of platinum. In other embodiments, the invention relates to fuel cells containing these electrocatalysts and methods for generating electrical energy therefrom.

Abstract: A fuel cell (70) having an anode (72), a cathode (78) and an electrolyte (76) between the anode (72) and the cathode (78) includes a cathode catalyst (80) formed of a plurality of nanoparticles. Each nanoparticle (20) has a plurality of terraces (26) formed of platinum surface atoms (14), and a plurality of edge (28) and corner regions (29) formed of atoms from a second metal (30)—The cathode catalyst may be formed by combining a platinum nanoparticle with a metal salt in a solution. Ions from the second metal react with platinum and replace platinum atoms on the nanoparticle. The second metal atoms at the corner and edge regions of the nanoparticle, as well as at any surface defects, result in a more stable catalyst structure. In some embodiments, the fuel cell (70) is a proton exchange membrane fuel cell and the nanoparticles are tetrahedron-shaped. In some embodiments, the fuel cell (70) is a phosphoric acid fuel cell and the nanoparticles are cubic-shaped.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell of long lifetime in which good electric conductivity can be maintained between power generation cells even after long time use. A protective plate (20) composed of Ni or Cu is bonded to a side of a metal separator (8) on the side of a fuel electrode layer (3) by diffusion bonding. Since a fuel gas does not intrude into the joint of the both members and Ni and Cu are significantly excellent in high temperature oxidation resistance, the separator (8) is surely protected from the fuel electrode atmosphere and growth of a high temperature oxidation coating is blocked. Consequently, excellent electric conductivity can be maintained when the fuel cell is used for a long time.

Abstract: A nanocomposite includes metal-carbon nanotubes and a sulfonated polysulfone. In the nanocomposite, the sulfonated polysulfone and the metal-carbon nanotubes have strong attraction therebetween due to ?-? interactions or van der Waals interactions, and thus the nanocomposite has excellent ionic conductivity and mechanical properties. In addition, the nanocomposite includes a metal that can be used as a catalyst for an anode, and thus the reduction in power generation caused by methanol crossover can be minimized. Therefore, a nanocomposite electrolyte membrane prepared using the nanocomposite can minimize the reduction in power generation caused by the crossover of a polar organic fuel such as methanol. In a fuel cell employing the nanocomposite electrolyte membrane, when an aqueous methanol solution is used as a fuel, crossover of the methanol is more suppressed, and accordingly, the fuel cell has an improved operating efficiency and a longer lifetime.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell module involves the steps of co-sintering the respective fuel electrodes, and the respective electrolytes, subsequently forming a dense interconnector out of a dense interconnector material, or an interconnector material which turns dense by sintering in at least parts of the solid oxide fuel cell module, in contact with the respective fuel electrodes, and the respective electrolyte, and forming an air electrode on the respective electrolytes before electrically connecting the respective electrodes with the respective first parts of the interconnectors electrically connecting the respective electrodes with the respective first parts of the respective interconnectors via respective second parts of the interconnectors which have a density less than the respective first parts.

Abstract: A perfluoropolyether rubber composition is useful for forming a polymer electrolyte membrane, comprising (A) an alkenyl-containing perfluoropolyether, (B) a silicon-oxygen crosslinked structure having ionic conduction, and (C) a peroxide crosslinker. The silicon-oxygen crosslinked structure is obtained by simultaneously effecting oxidation and hydrolysis on an organoxysilane having an epoxy group and an organoxysilane having a mercapto group for thereby converting the mercapto group into a sulfonic group, and neutralizing the resulting sulfonic group-containing siloxane with a nitrogen-containing compound.

Abstract: According to the invention, a fuel cell system features a fuel cell (14) having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (4), and an antioxidant residing in or contacting the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (4), for inactivating active oxygen.

Abstract: The catalyst-coated membrane has a proton exchange membrane with two opposite sides, and a catalyst coating applied directly to one of the two sides, the catalyst coating having a plurality of openings defined therethrough and scattered thereacross, the openings defining passages to the proton exchange membrane in which corresponding electro-chemical active surfaces of the catalyst coating are exposed. The openings can be defined in the catalyst coating after application thereof or during application thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell of the present invention comprises a cathode and an anode, one or both of the anode and the cathode including a catalyst comprising a bundle of longitudinally aligned graphitic carbon nanotubes including a catalytically active transition metal incorporated longitudinally and atomically distributed throughout the graphitic carbon walls of said nanotubes. The nanotubes also include nitrogen atoms and/or ions chemically bonded to the graphitic carbon and to the transition metal. Preferably, the transition metal comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and Cr.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly including an ionically conductive member, an electrode, and an electrically conductive member including an active layer, wherein the electrode is a smooth, continuous layer that completely covers and supports the ionically conductive member. The electrode and active layer further include a first and second catalyst content, respectively; and 50% of the total catalyst content is present in the electrode and 50% of the total catalyst content is present in the active layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell, comprising an electrolyte body and, embedded within it, at least two separate electrodes capable of conducting electrons; the electrodes being sufficiently porous to allow gas flow through them; one electrode being an electrically negative anode and the other electrode being an electrically positive cathode, and the electrolyte body being capable of carrying charged particles between the anode and cathode; the anode and cathode being electrically connected to form an electrical circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell comprising catalyst metal particles of noble metal-base metal-Ce (cerium) ternary alloy carried on carbon materials, wherein the noble metal is at least one member selected from among Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag and Au, the base metal is at least one member selected from among Ir, Co, Fe, Ni and Mn, and the relative proportion (i.e., the molar proportion) of noble metal:base metal:Ce (cerium) is 20 to 95:5 to 60:0.1 to 3. The electrode catalyst for a fuel cell inhibits deterioration of an electrolyte membrane or an electrolyte in an electrode catalyst layer, improves durability, and, in particular, improves the capacity for power generation in the high current density region.

Abstract: A catalyst for an electro-chemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of a bundle of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes having a catalytically active transition metal incorporated longitudinally in said nanotubes. A method of making an electro-chemical catalyst for an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) having a bundle of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes with a catalytically active transition metal incorporated throughout the nanotubes, where a substrate is in a first reaction zone, and a combination selected from one or more of a hydrocarbon and an organometallic compound containing an catalytically active transition metal and a nitrogen containing compound and an inert gas and a reducing gas is introduced into the first reaction zone which is maintained at a first reaction temperature for a time sufficient to vaporize material therein.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes an anode layer, an electrolyte layer over the anode layer, and a cathode layer over the electrolyte layer. At least one of the anode layer and the cathode layer defines a gas manifold. The gas manifold includes a gas inlet, defined by an edge of the anode layer or cathode layer, a gas outlet, defined by the same or a different edge of the anode layer or cathode layer, and a plurality of gas flow channels in fluid communication with the gas inlet and gas outlet. The gas flow channels can have diameters that conduct flow of gas from the gas inlet at substantially equal flow rates among the gas flow channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ion conductive material useful as an anode catalyst comprising LaCrO3, a vanadium oxide (VOx) and a solid electrolyte, and methods of making the same. The catalysts are useful in solid oxide fuels cells and, in particular, using impure hydrogen.

Abstract: Layered structures and associated fabrication methods that serve as the foundation for preparing high-operating-temperature electrochemical cells have a porous ceramic layer and a porous metal support or current collector layer bonded by mechanical interlocking which is provided by interpenetration of the layers and/or roughness of the metal surface. The porous layers can be infiltrated with catalytic material to produce a functioning electrochemical electrode.