Abstract: Nanometer sized particles containing titanium and platinum are prepared by a sonochemical process. Compounds of the metals are dissolved, suspended, or diluted in a low vapor pressure liquid medium, preferably at a sub-ambient temperature. A reducing gas is bubbled through the liquid as it is subjected to cavitation to affect the reductive decomposition of the metal compounds. Titanium and platinum are co-precipitated in very small particles.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst, comprising the step of supporting a metal atom on a support in which a thiol group is introduced on its surface. The catalyst is useful for a catalytic electrode of fuel cells, a composite electrode of capacitors or secondary batteries, a catalyst for an organic synthesis, a catalyst for an environmental cleanup, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell which has proper rigidity, is easy to handle and contributes to the improvement of the productivity of fuel cells. A method for producing a gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell including a first step of: impregnating a conductive porous substrate made of a conductive carbon fiber cloth or conductive carbon fiber felt with a first dispersion containing a first fluorocarbon resin having thermoplasticity; and baking the first conductive porous substrate at a first baking temperature of not less than the melting point of the first fluorocarbon resin and less than the decomposition temperature of the first fluorocarbon resin to enhance the rigidity of the conductive porous substrate.

Abstract: A method of preparing a supported platinum and/or palladium electrocatalyst and the electrocatalyst produced thereby. The method comprises the contacting of an electrically conductive particulate support which comprises adsorbed polynuclear hydroxo complexes of platinum and/or palladium with a reducing agent. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst for a fuel cell is provided which is capable of improving output characteristics of the fuel cell. Metal fine particles making up the catalyst for the fuel cell to be used as a fuel electrode and air electrode are formed by reducing platinum salt with molybdenum carbonyl. The catalyst for the fuel cell is formed by supporting platinum-molybdenum fine particles on carbon particles. By employing this reducing method, platinum-molybdenum fine particles being small in size and high in dispersibility can be obtained, making the catalyst for the fuel cell highly active. By constructing the fuel and air electrodes using the catalyst for the fuel cell, high outputs from the fuel cell are made possible.

Abstract: A gas diffusive electrode, an electrochemical device employing same, and methods of manufacturing and using same are provided. The gas diffusive electrode includes platinum powder and carbon powder or grain, to which carbon powder or grain whose particles are provided with a water-repellent film is further mixed. The gas diffusive electrode maintains an enhanced gas permeability.

Abstract: A process for synthesis of a catalyst is provided. The process includes providing a carbon precursor material, oxidizing the carbon precursor material whereby an oxygen functional group is introduced into the carbon precursor material, and adding a nitrogen functional group into the oxidized carbon precursor material.

Abstract: There is provided a composite plated product wherein a coating of a composite material containing carbon particles in a silver layer is formed on a substrate, the composite plated product having a large content of carbon and a large quantity of carbon particles on the surface thereof and having a low coefficient of friction and an excellent wear resistance. Carbon particles treated by an oxidation treatment and a silver matrix orientation adjusting agent are added to a silver plating solution for electroplating a substrate to adjust the orientation of a silver matrix to form a coating of a composite material, which contains the carbon particles in a silver layer, on the substrate.

Abstract: To provide an efficient method to form a functional porous layer, a functional material being supported on a porous material such that the content of the functional material has a desired concentration distribution in the depth direction of the porous layer, a method to manufacture a fuel cell applying the above method to form a reacting layer and an electronic device and an automobile having the fuel cell manufactured by the method as a power supply. A method to form a functional porous layer including a functional material being supported on a porous material. The method includes applying a plurality of solutions or dispersions containing the functional material, the solutions or the dispersions having different surface tensions, to a porous layer to control the permeation of the functional material in the depth direction of the porous layer according to the difference in the surface tensions.

Abstract: The invention provides phosphonated poly(4-phenoxybenzoyl-1,4-phenylene), and synthesizing method thereof, an antioxidant formed of phosphonated poly(4-phenoxybenzoyl-1,4-phenylene), a high-durability polymer electrolyte composite formed of a fluoropolymer electrolyte and phosphonated poly(4-phenoxybenzoyl-1,4-phenylene), and a fuel cell in which the high-durability polymer electrolyte composite is used in an electrode thereof.

Abstract: A catalyst support material useful in a membrane electrode assembly is presented. The support catalyst material is elongate electrically anisotropic particles of flexible graphite, and the membrane electrode assembly includes a pair of electrodes, an ion exchange membrane having opposed surfaces positioned between the electrodes and a catalyst material on the inventive support, at least a portion of an opposed surface of the ion exchange membrane being adjacent the catalyst which is supported on the elongate electrically anisotropic particles of flexible graphite sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a reversible solid oxide fuel cell, comprising the steps of: —providing a metallic support layer; —forming a cathode precursor layer on the metallic support layer; —forming an electrolyte layer on the cathode precursor layer; —sintering the obtained multilayer structure; —impregnating the cathode precursor layer so as to form a cathode layer; and —forming an anode layer on top of the electrolyte layer. Furthermore, a reversible SOFC is provided which is obtainable by said method. The method advantageously allows for a greater choice of anode materials, resulting in more freedom in cell design, depending on the desired application.

Abstract: A catalytically active layer that is used, for example, as an electrode for a solid electrolyte-based sensor element of a gas sensor for determining a gas component in a gas mixture. The catalytically active layer includes a metallic component, that includes a noble metal in the form of platinum, rhodium, and/or palladium, and additionally a base metal. At least a portion of the originally present base metal is replaced by cavities in the metallic component.

Abstract: A method of making an anode element for use in a fuel cell, comprising providing a first amount of Ni—Al alloy material having a predetermined aluminum content, providing a second amount of Ni—Cr alloy material having a predetermined chromium content, providing at least one additive component, mixing the Ni—Al alloy material, the Ni—Cr alloy material and the at least one additive component to produce a slurry and forming the slurry into the anode element.

Abstract: This invention provides novel fuel cell catalysts comprising new series of catalytically active thin-film metal alloys with low platinum concentration supported on nanostructured materials (nanoparticles). In certain embodiments, an integrated gas-diffusion/electrode/catalyst layer can be prepared by processing catalyst thin films and nanoparticales into gas-diffusion media such as Toray or SGL carbon fiber papers. The catalysts can be placed in contact with an electrolyte membrane for PEM fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A process for preparing catalyst coated membranes and membrane electrode assemblies for use in direct methanol fuel cells is provided. Cathode and anode layers are formed by spraying catalyst-containing inks onto a novel framed electrolytic membrane to form a catalyst coated membrane. The spraying process optionally employs one or more masks, which carefully control where the catalyst-containing ink is deposited. Following application of the cathode and anode layers, diffusion layers are prepared and inserted onto the catalyst coated membranes, and pressed to form membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: Featured are novel heterocycle substituted hydroquinones, aromatic copolymers and homopolymers bearing main and side chain polar pyridine units. These polymers exhibit good mechanical properties, high thermal and oxidative stability, high doping ability and high conductivity values. These novel polymers can be used in the preparation and application of MEA on PEMFC type single cells. The combination of the above mentioned properties indicate the potential of the newly prepared materials to be used as electrolytes in high temperature PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode including an anode catalyst, a cathode including a cathode catalyst, and a first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles between the anode and the cathode, such that the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles is not in contact with the anode. The cathode may be a cathode assembly including a gas diffusion electrode, a cathode catalyst on the gas diffusion electrode, and proton-conducting metal nanoparticles on the cathode catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for producing a fuel cell electrode and a membrane electrode assembly. In one preferred embodiment, the process comprises (a) preparing a suspension of catalyst particles dispersed in a liquid medium containing a polymer dissolved or dispersed therein; (b) dispensing the suspension onto a primary surface of a substrate selected from an electronically conductive catalyst-backing layer (gas diffuser plate) or a solid electrolyte membrane; and (c) removing the liquid medium to form the electrode that is connected to or integral with the substrate, wherein the polymer is both ion-conductive and electron-conductive with an electronic conductivity no less than 10?4 S/cm and ionic conductivity no less than 10?5 S/cm and the polymer forms a coating in physical contact with the catalyst particles or coated on the catalyst particles.

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 fuel cell microporous layer including a plurality of porous particles wherein at least 90% of intruded volume by mercury porosimetry is introduced into pore size diameters ranging from about 0.43 ?m to about 0.03 ?m.

Abstract: A proton conductor for fuel cells including a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block, an electrode for fuel cells employing the same and a fuel cell employing the electrode. The proton conductor, which is phosphoric acid based mono-ester or di-ester including an amphiphilic block, is added during the preparation of catalyst layers, and thus the viscosity of the composition may decrease and the dispersion thereof can be improved. Since the proton conductor has an amphiphilic property, the distribution of phosphoric acid can be effectively controlled. Thus, efficiency of the catalyst is improved, and fuel cells having improved efficiency can be prepared by employing an electrode including the catalyst.

Abstract: Featured are polymer electrolyte membranes based on blends of aromatic polyethers containing pyridine units in the main chain. Preferred membranes can show excellent mechanical properties and exceptional thermal and oxidative stability. Preferred polymer blends can be easily doped with inorganic acids such as phosphoric acid resulting in ionically conducting membrane.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst including two or more metal components used in an anode and/or a cathode of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) or a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), a method of preparing the same, and a fuel cell including the electrode catalyst. The electrode catalyst includes an active Pt-based metal and an inactive La-based metal. By including the inactive metal component in the electrode catalyst, in addition to the active Pt-based metal component, higher catalyst activity can be obtained, and the amount of the expensive Pt-based metal can be decreased so that the fuel cell can be produced at relatively low costs. In addition, the active Pt-based metal and the inactive La-based metal are uniformly distributed so that agglomeration of the active Pt-based metal can be blocked (or prevented) and thus the catalyst activity can be maintained constant for a relatively long period of time.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructured electrode comprising depositing a self-assembled monolayer on a substrate, depositing a catalyst nanoparticle covalently bonded to a ligand, and depositing a material capable of binding to the self-assembled monolayer. The method includes depositing on a conductive electrode substrate a catalytic nanoparticle stabilized by a covalently-bound ligand bearing a peripheral functional group and depositing a material capable of binding to the peripheral functional group, wherein the conductive electrode substrate is chemically modified to create a surface functional group capable of supporting multilayer deposition. The method can include covalent grafting of a functional group to create an initial layer of positive charge on the surface, depositing a platinum nanoparticle stabilized by negatively-charged ligands onto the functional group, and providing a polymer component.

Abstract: A product including a fuel cell gas diffusion media layer and a plurality of electrically conductive lands secured thereto.

Abstract: A catalyst nanoparticle covalently bonded to a surface ligand wherein the surface ligand has a peripheral functional group having a property suitable to ensure solubility in a fluid such as a hydroxylic solvent, water, lower molecular weight alcohol, methanol, ethanol, iso-propanol, or and mixtures thereof. The peripheral functional group can have an ability to couple the catalyst nanoparticle to a second catalyst nanoparticle or to a bridging material. The peripheral functional group can be capable of interacting with a surface functional group on a conductive electrode substrate. The covalently-bound ligand bearing a peripheral functional group can have a charge opposite to or chemical reactivity amenable with that of the surface functional group. A method of making a catalyst nanoparticle comprising bonding a surface ligand to a catalyst nanoparticle wherein the bonding is via a covalent bond and the surface ligand has a peripheral functional group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane electrode assembly for electrochemical cells, and a manufacturing method thereof. In the membrane electrode assembly, electro-catalytic layers forming electrodes on both surfaces of an ion-exchange membrane have a plurality of pores evenly distributed therein. According to the invention, the electro-catalytic layers are made porous, and thus the amount of precious metal used can be reduced so that the manufacturing cost of the catalytic layers can be greatly reduced. In addition, the reaction efficiency of the catalytic layers can be stabilized to improve the efficiency thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a first current collector; a second current collector; an ion exchange membrane disposed between the first and second current collectors; a diffusion element; and catalyst. The diffusion element is disposed between the first current collector and the ion exchange membrane. The diffusion element includes carbon nanotubes and the catalyst is disposed on a portion of the carbon nanotubes to form a catalyst layer.

Abstract: A cathode layer structure for a solid polymer fuel cell is disclosed. It comprises a composite cathode layer (48) of catalyst (11), anion ion conducting polymer (12) and cation conducting polymer (14). The interface between the anion ion conducting polymer (12) and the cation conducting polymer (14) is located entirely within the cathode layer (48). In particular the catalyst (11) is embedded in the anion conducting polymer (12), and the cation conducting polymer (14) encloses regions of the anion conducting polymer (12).

Abstract: A method including providing an ion conductive membrane and deactivating a selected region of the membrane.

Abstract: The battery performance of a solid polymer fuel cell is enhanced by improving a three-phase interface. A catalyst carrier conductive material 10, solid polymer electrolyte 20 and 30, and a good solvent and a poor solvent with respect to the solid polymer electrolyte are mixed so as to prepare an ink in which at least part of the solid polymer electrolyte is colloidalized. The ink is then dried to produce a powder catalytic material 40, which is applied to an electrolyte membrane or a gas diffusion layer, thereby forming a catalyst layer of an electrode.

Abstract: A fuel cell, which can supply stable output even at elevated temperatures and can maintain its power generation performance over a long period of time, can be realized by an electrode for a fuel cell comprising a catalyst layer formed of a catalyst composite and a binder, the catalyst composite comprising a proton-conductive inorganic oxide and an oxidation-reduction catalyst phase supported on the proton-conductive inorganic oxide, the proton-conductive inorganic oxide comprising a catalyst carrier selected from tin(Sn)-doped In2O3, fluorine(F)-doped SnO2, and antimony(Sb)-doped SnO2 and an oxide particle phase chemically bonded to the surface of the catalyst carrier.

Abstract: Platinum alloy electrocatalysts for membrane fuel cell applications are fabricated. Conductive carbon blacks are used as supports. The platinum alloy electrocatalysts have binary or multiple components. The components are obtained through a polyol reduction. The electrocatalysts are used as anode catalysts of membrane fuel cells.

Abstract: To provide an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell comprising inexpensive materials substituting for a precious metal catalyst such as platinum, and a fuel cell using the same. Poly (furfuryl alcohol) containing ferrocene is prepared by dissolving ferrocene corresponding to 1 to 3 wt % on the iron atomic basis in furfuryl alcohol, adding hydrochloric acid (2 mol/dm3) thereto as a polymerization initiator, and then polymerizing them in the air at 70° C. for 48 hours. Random layers 2 developed into onion-like lamination layers around iron particles are produced by heating this poly (furfuryl alcohol) up to 700° C. at a temperature rising rate of 150° C./h, and then holding the state for an hour to carbonize it. The iron carbon complex having this structure of the random layers 2 is applied especially to the cathode side as the electrode catalyst, to form the cells for the fuel cell.

Abstract: An electrode with adjustable gas permeability for electrochemical cells is formed by first and second laminated thin layers. The first serves for determining the overall gas permeability through the thickness of the electrode and conducting electricity. The second is for conducting electricity, supplying the reaction gases and removing the reaction products, and is a porous electricity-conducting material. The laminate consists of at least two materials of different gas permeability. The material with the higher gas permeability located on the side of the membrane forms the first layer, and the material with the lower gas permeability forms the second layer on the side away from the membrane. Openings are formed in the laminate towards the side adjacent to the membrane. The sidewalls of the openings in the area of the material with the higher gas permeability are at least partially covered by the material with the lower gas permeability.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward methods of producing electrocatalyst compositions of platinum and tungsten through the thermal decomposition of carbonyl-containing complexes of the two metals.

Abstract: A process for the production of catalyst coated membranes, especially catalyst coated membranes for use in fuel cells, that includes applying followed by drying of an electrocatalyst coating composition, a polymeric dispersion and a second electrocatalyst coating composition onto the surface of a temporary substrate, followed by separation of the temporary substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for patterning a solid proton conducting electrolyte (22, 60) for a micro fuel cell. The method comprises patterning a first side (30, 63) of a solid proton conducting electrolyte (22, 60) to increase the surface area, coating the patterned first side (22, 60) with an electrocatalyst (33, 66), providing a first electrical conductor (20) to the first side (22, 60), and providing a second electrical conductor (15, 16) to a second side (19) of the solid proton conducting electrolyte (22, 60) opposed to the first side (22, 60).

Abstract: A diamond electrode having a sufficiently low resistance is disclosed which is realized by increasing the amount of boron added thereto. A method for producing a high-performance, high-durability electrode is also disclosed by which adhesiveness between a diamond coating and a substrate and separation resistance during electrolysis are sufficiently increased. An electrode composed of a substrate and a diamond layer coating the substrate is characterized in that the electrode is composed of a base coated with diamond and the diamond contains boron in such an amount that the boron concentration is not less than 10,000 ppm but not more than 100,000 ppm. The base is preferably made of an insulating material.

Abstract: In a method of producing an electrode comprising a layer of an electrocatalytic material on a substrate, at least one liquid medium containing a precursor to the electrocatalytic material is atomized to produce droplets containing the precursor and the droplets are entrained in a stream of carrier gas moving in a first direction. The droplets entrained in the carrier gas stream are then heated to remove the liquid medium and convert the precursor to particles of the electrocatalytic material. The electrocatalytic material particles entrained in said carrier gas stream are then brought into contact with the substrate, whereby the electrocatalytic particles are separated from the carrier gas and collected on the substrate. By imparting relative movement between the substrate and the carrier gas stream in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction a continuous layer of the electrocatalytic material can be progressively deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is an MEA for fuel cell containing hygroscopic inorganic material such as TEOS (tetraethylorthosilicate), zirconium propoxide or titanium t-butoxide.

Abstract: A method for preparing a metal nanocluster composite material. A porous zeolitic material is treated with an aqueous metal compound solution to form a metal ion-exchanged zeolitic material, heated at a temperature ramp rate of less than 2° C./min to an elevated temperature, cooled, contacted with an organic monomer and heating to induce polymerization, and heating the composite material to greater than 350° C. under non-oxidizing conditions to form a metal nanocluster-carbon composite material with nanocluster sizes between approximately 0.6 nm and 10 nm.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode structure having an electrode catalyst layer adhered to a diffusion electrode, wherein the structure is manufactured by applying a catalyst paste onto a sheet substrate, and then dried to form a plurality of electrode catalyst layers. The electrode catalyst layers are thermally transferred onto each side of a polymer electrolyte membrane to form a laminated body. A first slurry is applied on a carbon substrate layer, and dried to form a water-repellent layer, and then, a second slurry is applied on the water-repellent layer, and dried to form a hydrophilic layer to form a diffusion electrode. The diffusion electrode is then laminated on the electrode catalyst layer through the hydrophilic layer, and then pressed under heating to integrate the laminated body and the diffusion electrode.

Abstract: A method of making an electrode catalyst material using aqueous solutions. The electrode catalyst material includes a support comprising at least one transition metal and at least one chalcogen disposed on a surface of the transition metal. The method includes reducing a metal powder, mixing the metal powder with an aqueous solution containing at least one inorganic compound of the chalcogen to form a mixture, and providing a reducing agent to the mixture to form nanoparticles of the electrode catalyst. The electrode catalyst may be used in a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell.

Abstract: This invention is to introduce a manufacturing method of fuel cell with integration of catalytic layer and micro sensors, which comprises following steps: manufacturing multi-hole silicon layer step, generating catalytic layer step, forming insulation layer step, integrating micro sensors step, and finalizing step. With the function of gas-diffusion layer in the multi-hole silicon wafer and multiple catalytic grains evenly spread over the inner walls of flow-way holes of the silicon wafer, a great catalytic layer can be formed effectively. Further, micro sensors properly are integrated. This invention's merits include simple structure and capabilities of simultaneously detecting temperature and humidity. Plus, it can heat up internally for a fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention is disclosed a manufacturing process and a structure of MEA layer for fuel cell. In the present invention, it forms a rigid support to proton exchange membrane with racks that are separately pasted on the upper an lower surface of it, and the area outside where the racks are pasted is defined as the second areas. Catalyst and diffusion layers are formed on the second areas of the upper and lower surface of the proton exchange membrane by means of Nafion solution manufacturing process, which finally forms the MEA layer for electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell on the second area of the proton exchange membrane.

Abstract: A cathode catalyst for a fuel cell includes a carrier and an A-B alloy supported on the carrier, where A is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pd, Ir, Rh, and combinations thereof, and B is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, and combinations thereof. The carrier is composed of at least one chalcogen element selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes at least one electrode operatively disposed in the fuel cell, and having a catalytically active surface. The present invention further includes a mechanism for maintaining a substantially uniform maximum catalytic activity over the surface of the electrode.

Abstract: A technique for fabricating an MEA for a fuel cell that is prepared as a catalyst-coated diffusion media (CCDM). The MEA includes a diffusion media layer having a microporous layer. A catalyst layer is deposited on the microporous layer so that it covers its entire surface. An ionomer layer is sprayed on the catalyst layer. A perfluorinated membrane is sandwiched between one CCDM at the anode side of the MEA and another CCDM at the cathode side of the MEA where the ionomer spray layers face the membrane.