Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst containing platinum, zinc, and at least one of nickel and iron.

Abstract: A PEM based water electrolysis stack consists of a number of cells connected in series by using interconnects. Water and electrical power (power supply) are the external inputs to the stack. Water supplied to the oxygen electrodes through flow fields in interconnects is dissociated into oxygen and protons. The protons are transported through the polymer membrane to the hydrogen electrodes, where they combine with electrons to form hydrogen gas. If the electrolysis stack is required to be used exclusively as an oxygen generator, the hydrogen gas generated would have to be disposed off safely. The disposal of hydrogen would lead to a number of system and safety related issues, resulting in the limited application of the device as an oxygen generator. Hydrogen can be combusted to produce heat or better disposed off in a separate fuel cell unit which will supply electricity generated, to the electrolysis stack to reduce power input requirements.

Abstract: A device includes a circular shaped cathode plate, a circular shaped membrane plate; and a circular shaped anode plate. The membrane is disposed between the cathode plate and anode plate. A system provides a fuel cell including a first circular shaped separator plate attached with a circular shaped cathode plate. The cathode plate includes grooves on a lower portion. A circular shaped proton exchange membrane (PEM) plate having an upper portion attached with the lower portion of the cathode plate. A circular shaped anode plate is attached with a second circular shaped separator plate. The anode plate includes grooves on an upper portion. The PEM plate is disposed between the lower portion of the cathode plate and the upper portion of the anode plate.

Abstract: Provided are a proton-conductive composite electrolyte, a membrane-electrode assembly, and a fuel cell in which an improvement of the proton conductivity, and suppression of crossover and insolubilization are satisfied at the same time. The proton-conductive composite electrolyte includes an electrolyte having a proton-dissociative group (—SO3H) and a compound having a Lewis acid group MXn?1, wherein the Lewis acid group and the proton-dissociative group are interacted with each other. The compound having the Lewis acid group is a Lewis acid compound MXn or a polymer having a Lewis acid group MXn?1. The electrolyte having a proton-dissociative group is a fluorine-containing electrolyte, an electrolyte composed of a hydrocarbon-based resin, an inorganic resin, a hybrid resin of an organic resin and an inorganic resin, or the like, or a fullerene compound.

Abstract: A proton conductive polymer electrolyte includes an acidic functional group-containing aromatic hydrocarbon polymer and an electron donor functional group-containing compound. When used in a fuel cell, the proton conductive polymer electrolyte provides a long-term stable power generating performance at an operating temperature from 100° C. to 200° C. in non-humidified conditions or a relative humidity of 50% or less.

Abstract: A process for forming a catalyst coated membrane by placing layered sandwich between two synchronously-driven, resilient, thermally conductive belts and transferring completely a first electrocatalyst layer adhered to a first flexible substrate and a second electrocatalyst layer adhered to a second flexible substrate to ionomeric polymer membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved polymer membranes, to processes for production thereof and to the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can, because of its excellent chemical and thermal properties, be used in a variety of ways and is particularly useful as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) to produce membrane electrode units for PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: Dielectric compositions that include compound of the formula [(M?)1?x(A?)x][(M?)1?y?z,(B?)y(C?)z]O3??(VO)? and protonated dielectric compositions that include a protonated dielectric compound within the formula [(M?)1?x(A?)x](M?)1?y?z(B?)y(C?)z]O3??+h(Vo)?(H*)2h are disclosed. Composite materials that employ one or more of these dielectric compounds together with an electrolyte also are disclosed. Composite material that employs one or more of these dielectric compounds together with an electrochemally active material also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present teachings encompass proton-conductive material comprising a new polymer compound. A proton-conductive electrolyte comprising the proton-conductive material, and a fuel cell comprising the proton-conductive electrolyte are disclosed. A proton-conductive material comprising poly(phosphophenylene oxide) that comprises polyphenylene oxide as the main chain, and at least one phosphonic acid group as a side chain of the main chain, a proton-conductive electrolyte comprising the proton-conductive material, and a fuel cell employing the proton-conductive electrolyte, are also disclosed.

Abstract: To provide a membrane/electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells capable of obtaining a high output voltage even in a high current density region, by providing electrodes having good gas diffusion properties, conductivity, water repellency and durability. A membrane/electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, comprising; an anode and a cathode each having a catalyst layer containing a catalyst and having a gas diffusion layer; and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the catalyst layer of the anode and the catalyst layer of the cathode, characterized in that at least one of the above anode and cathode, has a carbon layer containing a fluorinated ion exchange resin and carbon nanofibers having a fiber diameter of from 1 to 1,000 nm and a fiber length of at most 1,000 ?m, disposed between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: The electrode for a fuel cell of the present invention includes a carbonaceous electrode substrate, a microporous layer formed on the surface of the electrode substrate with the microporous layer including a carbonized polymer, and nano-carbon formed on the surface of the microporous layer with a catalyst layer coated on the surface of the nano-carbon. Alternatively, an electrode for a fuel cell includes a carbonaceous electrode substrate in which carbon particles are dispersed, a nano-carbon on the electrode substrate with a catalyst layer on the surface of the nano-carbon.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell of the present invention includes an electrolyte membrane (100); and a pair of electrode catalyst layers (110) provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane. Furthermore, in the present invention, a plurality of hydrophilic groups exist along a substantially continuous concentration gradient from a surface of one of the electrode catalyst layers opposite to a surface thereof in contact with the electrolyte membrane to a surface of the other electrode catalyst layer opposite to a surface thereof in contact with the electrolyte membrane in a thickness direction of the electrolyte membrane (100) and the electrode catalyst layers (110). This makes it possible to provide a membrane electrode assembly with water management performed not only in the surfaces but also in the entire assembly in the thickness direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst coupled to the hollow fiber, an anode extending along at least part of a length of the structure, and a cathode extending along at least part of the length of the structure, the cathode being on an opposite side of the hollow fiber as the anode. In another embodiment, a method includes acquiring a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst along one side thereof, adding an anode that extends along at least part of a length of the structure, and adding a cathode that extends along at least part of the length of the structure on an opposite side as the anode.

Abstract: Provided are an ion conductive resin fiber, an ion conductive hybrid membrane, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell. The ion conductive resin fiber comprises an inner layer including an ion conductive resin; and an outer layer including an ion conductive resin having larger EW than the ion conductive resin of the inner layer, and surrounding the inner layer. The ion conductive resin fiber and the ion conductive hybrid membrane are excellent in ion conductivity, polar solvent stability and dimensional stability under low humidity conditions. The fuel cell manufactured using the same has advantages of stable operation and management of a system at ease, removal or reduction of components related to water management, and even in case of low relative humidity, operation at high temperature of 80° C. or higher.

Abstract: The electrode for a fuel cell of the present invention includes a catalyst layer and an electrode substrate supporting the catalyst layer, where the electrode substrate includes a hydrophilic region and a hydrophobic region separated from each other. The hydrophilic region and the hydrophobic region that are separated from each other can easily release water produced at the cathode, and thereby prevent clogging of pores of the membrane by water, and smoothly diffuse the reactants resulting in obtaining a high current density.

Abstract: A composition including a compound having a fluorine functional group, a polymer as a polymerization product of the composition, an electrode and an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, which include the composition or the polymer thereof, and a fuel cell including at least one of the electrode and the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A self-humidifying proton exchange membrane (PEM) composition, a membrane-electrode assembly, and a fuel cell. The PEM composition comprises (a) a proton-conducting polymer; (b) a catalyst that promotes the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen molecules to generate water in the membrane, and (c) a deliquescent material dispersed in this polymer. The amount of catalyst is preferably 0.01%-50% by weight on the basis of the polymer weight. The catalyst is preferably a metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, and mixtures and alloys thereof. Suitable deliquescent materials include, but are not limited to, calcium chloride, calcium bromide, potassium biphosphate, potassium acetate and combinations thereof. A deliquescent material absorbs and retains an essentially constant amount of moisture to keep the proton mobile in the PEM structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to membrane-electrode assemblies for the electrolysis of water (electrolysis MEAs), which contain an ion-conducting membrane having a front and rear side; a first catalyst layer on the front side; a first gas diffusion layer on the front side; a second catalyst layer on the rear side, and a second gas diffusion layer on the rear side. The first gas diffusion layer has smaller planar dimensions than the ion-conducting membrane, whereas the second gas diffusion layer has essentially the same planar dimensions as the ion-conducting membrane (“semi-coextensive design”). The MEAs also comprise an unsupported free membrane surface that yields improved adhesion properties of the sealing material. The invention also relates to a method for producing the MEA products. Pressure-resistant, gastight and cost-effective membrane-electrode assemblies are obtained, that are used in PEM water electrolyzers, regenerative fuel cells or in other electrochemical devices.

Abstract: Block copolymer that can be formed into an ion—Conductive membrane are provided. The block copolymer of the invention includes a first polymer block and a second polymer block attached to the first polymer block. The second polymer block has a main polymer chain and one or more side chains extending from the main polymer chain. The one or more side chains include at least one substitutent for proton transfer. Block copolymers utilizing phosphoric acid groups are also provided.

Abstract: Water produced in a fuel cell is managed and/or regulated by an assembly comprising at least one hydrophobic element and a hydrophilic element. The hydrophilic element is in contact with at least one first area of an outer surface of the cathode. The hydrophobic element covers the whole of a face of the hydrophilic element opposite the outer surface of the cathode and comprises at least one through opening releasing an area of said face of the hydrophilic element.

Abstract: A fuel cell is manufactured using a polymer electrolyte membrane (1). A catalyst layer (12) is formed at fixed intervals on the surface of the strip-form polymer electrolyte membrane (1) in the lengthwise direction thereof, and conveyance holes (10) are formed in series at fixed intervals on the two side portions thereof. By rotating a conveyance roller (32) comprising on its outer periphery projections which engage with the holes (10), the polymer electrolyte membrane (1) is fed from a reel (9). A GDL (6) and a separator (7) are adhered to the fed polymer electrolyte membrane (1) at a predetermined processing timing based on the rotation speed of the conveyance roller (32), and thus the fuel cell is manufactured efficiently while the GDL (6) and separator (7) are laminated onto the catalyst layer (12) accurately.

Abstract: By performing photograft polymerization of functional monomers such that grafted chains will be introduced from the surface of a polymer base film into its interior without deteriorating its inherent characteristics and also by creating a multiplex crosslinked structure between the grafted chains and the base film under such conditions as to cause preferential radiation-induced crosslinking reaction, there is produced a polymer electrolyte membrane having high enough oxidation resistance and proton conductivity to be suitable for use in fuel cells.

Abstract: A compound having an amino group at a terminal thereof and at least one amino group in a repeating unit, a cross-linked material of the compound, a double cross-linked polymer thereof, an electrolyte membrane and an electrode for a fuel cell, which include the cross-linked material of the compound or the double cross-linked polymer thereof, and a fuel cell including at least one of the electrolyte membrane and the electrode.

Abstract: Monolayer ion-exchange membrane structured in the thickness comprising ion-exchange sites covalently bonded to a support polymer, the membrane comprising two surface zones located on either side of a mid-zone, each surface zone having a thickness of not more than 15% of the total thickness of the membrane, in which the surface zones have a mean ion-exchange site density Dsurface calculated on the thickness of the surface zones of at least Dtotal.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having (a) an ion exchange material and (b) dispersed in said ion exchange material, a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst bound to a carbon particle support, wherein the hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst comprises (i) polyvinylphosphonic acid and (ii) cerium.

Abstract: A proton conducting polymer is described herein which generally comprises a proton donating polymer and a Lewis acid. The Lewis acids may comprise one or more rare earth triflates. The proton conducting polymer exhibits excellent proton conductivity in low humidity environments.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes cell units each composed of a hydrogen ion conductive polymeric electrolyte membrane, a pair of electrodes arranged on the front and rear faces of the hydrogen ion conductive polymeric electrolyte membrane, and a diffusion layer contacting the electrodes to cover the electrodes. The cell units are pushed down by an end plate having a current-collecting metallic plate and a resin substrate for fixing the current-collecting metallic plate. A layer having a humidity-adjusting component is formed on the surface of the resin substrate of the end plate.

Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly is described. The coolant passage on either the anode side or the cathode side includes a material having a low thermal conductivity. Fuel cells containing the bipolar plate assembly and methods of making the bipolar plate assembly are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides catalysts that are not corroded in acidic electrolytes or at high potential, have excellent durability and show high oxygen reducing ability. In a process of producing fuel cell electrodes containing a metal oxide and an electron conductive substance, the process includes steps in which a sugar is applied and carbonized on a support layer supporting the metal oxide and the electron conductive substance.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte of fully conjugated, water-soluble rigid-rod polymer with articulated backbone for isotropic ionic conductivity, a method for synthesizing the solid electrolyte and a battery, fuel cell or super-capacitor including the solid electrolyte. The polymer has a repeating unit E1 represented by the following general formula I: wherein the repeating unit E1 has two pendants, L1 and L2, linked to two of four N atoms of the repeating unit E1; L1 and L2 independently represent a group of R1—SO3M, R1 represents a hydrocarbon; M represents a cation selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, H+and K+; R3 represents a group of H or SO3M; and x represents an integer larger than 100.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell has superior power generation characteristics under low humidity conditions and superior starting characteristics under low temperature conditions. In the membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which a polymer electrolyte membrane is disposed between a pair of electrodes containing a catalyst, the polymer electrolyte membrane has a polymer segment A having an ion conductive component and a polymer segment B not having an ion conductive component. Furthermore, in the case in which the polymer electrolyte membrane is immersed in water at 90° C. for 30 minutes, absorbed water which exhibits a thawing temperature of from ?30 to 0° C. is in a range from 0.01 to 3.0 g per 1 g of the polymer.

Abstract: A fuel cell in which protrusion of an adhesive agent into a gas communication path is suppressed. The fuel cell has a gas passage in a power generation region, a manifold in a non power generation region, and the gas communication path interconnecting the gas passage and the manifold. The adhesive agent is used near at least the gas communication path. An adhesive agent accumulation section for suppressing inflow of the adhesive agent into the gas communication path is located near the gas communication path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel polymer composed of polyarylene in the main chain and having oxocarbon groups which is particularly useful in battery and fuel cell applications.

Abstract: An ion-conductive composite membrane and a method of manufacturing the same, the membrane including phosphate platelets, a silicon compound, and a Keggin-type oxometalate and/or Keggin-type heteropoly acid, wherein the phosphate platelets are three-dimensionally connected to each other via the silicon compound. An electrolyte membrane having an ion-conductive inorganic membrane or an ion-conductive organic/inorganic composite membrane effectively prevents crossover of liquid fuel without the reduction of ion conductivity in a liquid fuel cell, thereby allowing for the production of fuel cells having excellent performance.

Abstract: A composition showing enhanced proton conductivity comprising at least a polymer with an ionizable group (A) containing a proton and carbon nanostructures functionalized with ionizable group (B) containing a proton is disclosed where A and B are same or different.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant is cooled evaporatively by a non-circulating pressurized water coolant system. The coolant system utilizes a hydrophobic porous plug for bleeding air from the coolant water while maintaining coolant back pressure in a coolant flow field of the system. Furthermore, there is a first method for identifying appropriate parameters of the hydrophobic porous plug for use with a known particular coolant system; and a second method for determining proper operating conditions for a fuel cell water coolant system which can operate with a hydrophobic porous plug closure having known physical parameters.

Abstract: A cell module for a fuel cell according to embodiments of the invention includes a hollow-core electrolyte membrane; two electrodes one of which is arranged on the inner face of the hollow-core electrolyte membrane and the other of which is arranged on the outer face of the hollow-core electrolyte membrane; and first collecting members that are connected to the respective two electrodes. At least one of the two electrodes includes nano-columnar bodies on which electrode catalysts are supported. The nano-columnar bodies are formed on at least one of the first collecting members corresponding to the at least one of the electrodes that includes the nano-columnar bodies. At least part of the nano-columnar bodies are oriented toward the hollow-core electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A protective layer (20) is formed in a picture frame shape and a thin film shape between an electrolyte membrane (1) and a peripheral edge portion of a catalyst layer (30) by applying ink by an ink jet method. The protective layer (20) is formed directly on the electrolyte membrane (1) to a thickness in the range of about 0.1 ?m to 5.0 ?m.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell electrode assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the fuel cell electrode assembly includes a substrate and a plurality of catalyst regions supported on the substrate to provide a passage way formed between the catalyst regions for passing fuel cell reactants, at least a portion of the plurality of catalyst regions including a number of atomic layers of catalyst metals. In certain instances, the number of atomic layers of catalyst metals is greater than zero and less than 300. In certain other instances, the number of atomic layers of catalyst metals is between 1 and 100. In yet certain other instances, the number of atomic layers of catalyst metals is between 1 and 20.

Abstract: A composite membrane for fuel cell applications includes a support substrate with a predefined void volume. The void volume is at least partially filled with an ion conducting polymer composition that includes an additive that inhibits polymer degradation. Characteristically, the ion conducting polymer composition includes a first polymer with a cyclobutyl moiety and a second polymer that is different than the first polymer.

Abstract: Noble metal catalysts and methods for producing the catalysts are provided. The catalysts are useful in applications such as fuel cells. The catalysts exhibit reduced agglomeration of catalyst particles as compared to conventional noble metal catalysts.

Abstract: A process for producing a polymer electrolyte emulsion having the following steps (1) and (2) is provided. Step (1): a step of dissolving a polymer electrolyte in a solvent comprising a good solvent for the polymer electrolyte to prepare a polymer electrolyte solution having a polymer electrolyte concentration of 0.1 to 10% by weight. Step (2): a step of mixing the polymer electrolyte solution 10 obtained in the step (1), and a poor solvent for the polymer electrolyte at a ratio of 4 to 99 parts by weight of the poor solvent based on 1 part by weight of the polymer electrolyte solution. In addition, a process for producing a polymer 15 electrolyte emulsion comprising separating a polymer electrolyte dispersion in which a polymer electrolyte particle is dispersed in a dispersing medium, with a membrane is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the extrusion of thermoplastic polymers having alkaline ionic groups. The process consists in preparing a mixture composed of a thermoplastic polymer having alkaline ionic groups and a plasticizer, in extruding the mixture obtained to form a film; then in washing the film obtained in aqueous medium to remove said plasticizer(s). The plasticizer is chosen from non-volatile compounds which are stable with respect to the ionic groups of the polymer, which are soluble in water or in solvents that are miscible with water, said plasticizers being chosen from the compounds that react with the ionic group of the polymer via formation of a weak bond of the hydrogen bond-type, and the compounds that react with the ionic group of the polymer via formation of a strong bond, of the ionic bond-type.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant is cooled evaporatively by a non-circulating pressurized water coolant system. The coolant system utilizes a hydrophobic porous plug for bleeding air from the coolant water while maintaining coolant back pressure in a coolant flow field of the system. Furthermore, there is a first method for identifying appropriate parameters of the hydrophobic porous plug for use with a known particular coolant system; and a second method for determining proper operating conditions for a fuel cell water coolant system which can operate with a hydrophobic porous plug closure having known physical parameters.

Abstract: A composite electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell is disclosed. The membrane is formed of a polymer having layers of a clay-based cation exchange material. The substrate comprises an electrode formed from a solution that has an exfoliated, inorganic, sodium-based cation exchange material, an ionically conductive polymer-based material, and a solvent-dispersant.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a hybrid catalyst system is provided. In one embodiment, the hybrid catalyst system includes a support mixture and a catalyst material supported on the support mixture, wherein the support mixture includes a first support material having a first average surface area and a second support material having a second average surface area different from the first average surface area, the first and second support materials collectively defining regions of differential hydrophobicity. In certain instances, the hybrid catalyst system can be configured as a catalyst layer to be disposed next to a proton exchange membrane of a fuel cell.

Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes a combination of a polyvinyl polymer and an ion conducting polymer that is different than the polyvinyl polymer. The ion conducting membrane of this embodiment is able to operate in fuel cells at elevated temperatures with minimal external humidification. A fuel cell incorporating the ion conducting membrane between a first and second catalyst layer is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a first catalyst layer and a second catalyst layer. An ion conducting membrane is interposed between the first and second catalyst layers. The ion conducting layer includes a polyolefin support structure and an ion conducting polymer at least partially penetrating the polyolefin support structure. A set of electrically conducting flow field plates are in communication with the first and second catalyst layers.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell system comprising a solid-oxide fuel cell system, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system, a hydrocarbon reformer and a hydrogen separator. A large PEM provides output power, such as motive power for a vehicle, using hydrogen storage that may be resupplied from a separate hydrogen refilling station or from the onboard reformer. The SOFC is preferably small and provides heat and exhaust water that, when recycled into the reformer, allow the reformer to operate endothermically without requiring atmospheric air, thus excluding nitrogen from the reformate stream. Alternatively, the reformer and SOFC are stationary at a base station and the PEM is aboard the vehicle. The SOFC and reformer have sufficient capacity to recharge hydrogen storage in the vehicle in a relatively short period of time, such as overnight.