Abstract: A method for making a carbon-metal-nitrogen oxygen reducing cathode catalyst, the method comprising mixing a carbon source with a transition metal precursor to form a metal precursor loaded carbon substrate; adding a nitrogen precursor compound to the metal precursor loaded carbon substrate to form a carbon-metal-nitrogen precursor; and pyrolyzing the carbon-metal-nitrogen precursor in a closed vessel, thereby forming an oxygen reducing cathode catalyst. The carbon-metal-nitrogen catalyst requires no precious metal such as Pt, and also provides benefits such as controlled deposition of catalytically active nitrogenous compounds that can increase the catalytic activity of the catalyst when compared to gaseous deposition of nitrogen to the surface of the carbon support.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrode for a fuel cell, a method of preparing the fuel cell electrode, a membrane-electrode assembly including the fuel cell electrode, and a fuel cell system including the fuel cell electrode. The electrode includes an electrode substrate having a conductive substrate and a layer-by-layer assembled multi-layer disposed on a side of the conductive substrate and a bilayer including a polymer electrolyte or a conductive nanoparticle, and a catalyst layer disposed on the electrode substrate.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell, includes: a negative electrode active material layer containing a negative electrode active material, a polyvinylidene fluoride component including polyvinylidene fluoride and/or a derivative having polyvinylidene fluoride as a main chain, a styrene-butadiene component including a styrene-butadiene polymer and/or a derivative having a styrene-butadiene polymer as a main chain, a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 10 to 15, and N-methylpyrrolidone; and a foil-shaped negative electrode current collector provided with the negative electrode active material layer on at least one principal surface of the collector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon material for lithium ion secondary cell having a positron lifetime of 370 picoseconds or longer, and 480 picoseconds or shorter, when measured by positron annihilation spectroscopy under conditions (A) to (E) below: (A) positron radiation source: positrons generated from electron-positron pairs using an electron accelerator; (B) gamma ray detector: a BaF2 scintillator and a photoelectron multiplier; (C) measurement temperature and atmosphere: 25° C., in vacuum; (D) annihilation ?-ray counts: 3×106 or larger; and (E) positron beam energy: 10 keV.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an air cathode for air batteries, having excellent high-rate discharge performance, and an air battery comprising the air cathode. Disclosed is an air cathode for air batteries, using oxygen as an active material and configured to form an air battery comprising the air cathode, an anode and an electrolyte layer present between the air cathode and the anode, the air cathode comprising: a catalyst layer which contains at least an electrode catalyst and an electroconductive material; an oxide as the electrode catalyst, which is active against at least oxygen reduction reaction; and at least one kind of metal carbide as the electroconductive material, selected from the group consisting of a tungsten carbide, a titanium carbide and a molybdenum carbide.

Abstract: A hierarchical mesoporous carbon is provided in which a total volume of mesopores of the hierarchical mesoporous carbon is 80% or greater of a total volume of pores of the hierarchical mesoporous carbon; a volume of mesopores with a average diameter greater than 20 nm and no greater than 50 nm is 3% or greater of the total volume of the pores; and a volume of mesopores with a average diameter greater than 2 nm and no greater than 10 nm is 65% or greater of the total volume of the pores. The hierarchical mesoporous carbon, which also contains macropores, has an optimized mesoporous distribution characteristic, and has an increased total volume of pores, thereby having a significantly improved catalytic activity when used as a catalyst support. When such a supported catalyst is used in a fuel cell, supply of fuel and transporting of byproducts are facilitated.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods and systems for detecting cracks in ceramic electrolytes using electrical conductors. A method for testing an electrolyte material, such as a ceramic electrolyte material for use in a solid oxide fuel cell device, includes providing a conductive path on the electrolyte material, electrically connecting a probe across the conductive path, and measuring a value associated with the conductive path to determine the presence or absence of a crack in the material.

Abstract: Current collectors and methods are provided that relate to electrodes that are useful in electrochemical cells. The provided current collectors include a metallic substrate, a substantially uniform nano-scale carbon coating, and an active electrode material. The coating has a maximum thickness of less than about 200 nanometers.

Abstract: The catalytic mixture resulting of a metal powder catalyst with a solid material (referred to here as a reaction-aid) that has good filtering properties, does not interfere with the reaction, does not interfere with recycling the catalyst back into the reaction, does not interfere with the refining and recovery of the metal from the catalyst after it is spent, and will not become separated from the catalyst during the preparation of this catalytic mixture, the chemical reaction or the separation of this catalytic mixture from the reaction medium, whereas the ratio of the reaction aid to the catalyst ranges from 0.05 to 20 on a weight basis. A preferred metal powder catalyst is acetylene black supported precious metal. Preferred reaction aids are sibunit powder or activated carbon. The catalytic mixture can be used for the catalytic transformation of compounds, such as the hydrogenation of olefins, or the hydrogenation of nitro compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preventing metal catalyst particles supported on a support and formed of a catalytically active metal or metal-containing alloy from coarsening, the method comprising: dispersing an anti-coarsening compound having a coarsening temperature higher than that of the metal catalyst, in at least one region selected from the group consisting of interstitial spaces among the metal catalyst particles and contact sites between the support and the metal catalyst particles. The electrode catalyst is structurally stable while not causing degradation of electrochemical quality, and thus can improve the longevity properties of a fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for making a lithium battery cathode material is disclosed. A mixed solution including a solvent, an iron salt material, a vanadium source material and a phosphate material is provided. An alkaline solution is added in the mixed solution to make the mixed solution have a pH value ranging from about 1.5 to 5. The iron salt, the vanadium source material and the phosphate material react with each other to form a plurality particles of iron phosphate precursor doped with vanadium which are added in a mixture of a lithium source solution and a reducing agent to form a slurry of lithium iron phosphate precursor doped with vanadium. The slurry of lithium iron phosphate precursor doped with vanadium is heat-treated.

Abstract: A composite including a metal having oxygen-reducing activity, nitrogen and carbon, the composite comprising polyhedral particles, an electrode catalyst including the composite, a method of preparing the composite, and a fuel cell using the composite.

Abstract: This invention is intended to improve the coverage of a platinum or platinum alloy surface with gold when producing a catalyst comprising carrier particles that support gold-modified platinum or platinum alloys. The invention provides a method for producing a catalyst comprising carrier particles that support gold-modified platinum or platinum alloys comprising a step of gold reduction comprising adding carrier particles that support platinum or platinum alloys, a reducing agent, and a gold precursor to a liquid medium and mixing the same, wherein the reducing agent is added to adjust the ORP value (i.e., an oxidation-reduction potential with reference to the silver-silver chloride electrode) of the liquid medium to ?630 to +230 mV upon completion of addition.

Abstract: Methods of making a substantially crack-free electrode layer are described. The methods include depositing an electrode ink on a substrate; placing a solid polymer film on a surface of the wet electrode ink; drying the electrode ink; and removing the solid polymer film from the surface of the dry electrode ink to form the substantially crack-free electrode layer on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support for an electrode of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, a fuel cell, and a platinum-supported catalyst, and an electrode using the same. In particular, the present invention provides a method in which linear crystalline carbon nanofibers and nonlinear crystalline carbon particles with increased surface area and improved crystallinity are used to enhance the active site of catalyst particles and ensure the durability of the catalyst by the crystalline carbon materials. The linear crystalline carbon nanofibers are grown to have a predetermined fiber diameter by heat treatment at a high temperature in a gas phase of hydrocarbon in an inert gas atmosphere using an oxide such as Ni, Fe, Mn, etc. as a catalyst. The crystallinity of the linear crystalline carbon nanofibers is also improved by the heat treatment.

Abstract: Core-shell particles encapsulated by a thin film of a catalytically active metal are described. The particles are preferably nanoparticles comprising a non-noble core with a noble metal shell which preferably do not include Pt. The non-noble metal-noble metal core-shell nanoparticles are encapsulated by a catalytically active metal which is preferably Pt. The core-shell nanoparticles are preferably formed by prolonged elevated-temperature annealing of nanoparticle alloys in an inert environment. This causes the noble metal component to surface segregate and form an atomically thin shell. The Pt overlayer is formed by a process involving the underpotential deposition of a monolayer of a non-noble metal followed by immersion in a solution comprising a Pt salt. A thin Pt layer forms via the galvanic displacement of non-noble surface atoms by more noble Pt atoms in the salt. The overall process is a robust and cost-efficient method for forming Pt-coated non-noble metal-noble metal core-shell nanoparticles.

Abstract: Provided is a carbon catalyst having an improved catalytic activity, a production method therefor, and an electrode and a battery which use the carbon catalyst. The carbon catalyst is obtained by carbonizing a raw material including an organic substance containing a nitrogen atom and metals, and includes iron and/or cobalt, and copper as the metals. Further, the carbon catalyst has a crystallinity of 41.0% or less, which is determined by X-ray diffractometry, a nitrogen atom-to-carbon atom ratio of 0.7 or more, which is determined by X-ray photoelectronic spectrometry, and an oxygen reduction-starting potential of 0.774 V (vs. NHE) or more.

Abstract: A catalyst including: a plurality of porous clusters of silver particles, each cluster of the clusters including: (a) a plurality of primary particles of silver, and (b) crystalline particles of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), wherein at least a portion of the crystalline particles of ZrO2 is located in pores formed by a surface of the plurality of primary particles of silver.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode catalyst for a hydrocarbon-fueled solid oxide fuel cell. The electrode catalyst includes ceria supports and iridium-nickel alloy nanoparticles dispersed on the surfaces of the ceria supports. The electrode catalyst can be inhibited from carbon deposition, a general phenomenon in conventional hydrocarbon-fueled solid oxide fuel cells. Therefore, the catalytic activity of the electrode catalyst can be maintained even at high temperature for a long period of time. In addition, the electrode catalyst contains a minimum amount of a platinum group metal for inhibiting the occurrence of carbon deposition and has a maximized surface area. Therefore, the electrode catalyst exhibits improved catalytic activity and can be produced at greatly reduced cost while suppressing the occurrence of carbon deposition.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fuel cell electrode catalyst by preparing a platinum-carbon core-shell composite, which has a platinum nanoparticle core and a graphene carbon shell, using a simultaneous evaporation process, a method for preparing a fuel cell electrode comprising the catalyst prepared thereby, and a fuel cell comprising the same. A fuel cell comprising an electrode catalyst consisting of the core-shell composite prepared by simultaneously evaporating the platinum precursor and the organic precursor can have high performance and high durability, because the platinum particles are not agglomerated or detached and corroded even under severe conditions, including high-temperature, long use term, acidic and alkaline conditions.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for fuel cell, a method of preparing the electrode catalyst, a membrane electrode assembly including the electrode catalyst, and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly. The electrode catalyst includes a crystalline catalyst particle incorporating a precious metal having oxygen reduction activity and a Group 13 element, where the Group 13 element is present in a unit lattice of the crystalline catalyst particle.

Abstract: To simply manufacture a lithium-containing oxide at lower manufacturing cost. A method for manufacturing a lithium-containing composite oxide expressed by a general formula LiMPO4 (M is one or more of Fe (II), Mn (II), Co (II), and Ni (II)). A solution containing Li and P is formed and then is dripped in a solution containing M (M is one or more of Fe (II), Mn (II), Co (II), and Ni (II)) to form a mixed solution. By a hydrothermal method using the mixed solution, a single crystal particle of a lithium-containing composite oxide expressed by the general formula LiMPO4 (M is one or more of Fe (II), Mn (II), Co (II), and Ni (II)) is manufactured.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst layer having sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s and a manufacturing method therefor are provided. The manufacturing method includes steps of: providing at least one type of sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s; mixing the sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s with a catalyst composition to prepare a catalyst slurry; and coating the catalyst slurry to form a film which is dried to be an electrode catalyst layer, in which the weight ratio of the sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s is 5-50 wt %. The sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s in the electrode catalyst layer can provide good thermal stability, glass transition temperature, chemical resistance, mechanical properties, water impermeability, low proton transmission loss, and a relatively simple process to shorten the manufacturing time and lower the cost thereof.

Abstract: A novel composition for a photocatalyst Fe doped ZnO nano-particle photocatalyst that enables the decontamination process by degrading toxic organic material such as brilliant cresyl blue, indigo carmine and gentian blue by using solar light is described. In the current disclosure method of making a specific size of the nano photocatalyst is described. Characterization of the photocatalyst, optimal working conditions and efficient use of solar light has been described to show that this photocatalyst is unique. The process described to use the photocatalyst to degrade toxic organic material using the solar light to activate the photocatalyst is cost efficient and cheap to clean our water resources.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell includes a complex support including at least one metal oxide and carbon-based material; and a palladium (Pd)-based catalyst supported by the complex support. A method of manufacturing the electrode catalyst includes dissolving a precursor of a palladium (Pd)-based catalyst in a solvent and preparing a mixture solution for a catalyst; adding a complex support including at least one metal oxide and a carbon-based material to the mixture solution for a catalyst and stirring the mixture solution to which the complex support is added; drying the mixture solution for a catalyst, to which the complex support is added, in order to disperse the precursor of the Pd-based catalyst on the complex support; and reducing the precursor of the Pd-based catalyst dispersed on the complex support. A fuel cell includes the electrode catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to electrocatalysts. The electrocatalyst may include at least one gas-diffusion layer having a first side and a second side, and particle cores adhered to at least one of the first and second sides of the at least one gas-diffusion layer. The particle cores includes surfaces adhered to the at least one of the first and second sides of the at least one gas-diffusion layer and surfaces not in contact with the at least one gas-diffusion layer. Furthermore, a thin layer of catalytically atoms may be adhered to the surfaces of the particle cores not in contact with the at least one gas-diffusion layer.

Abstract: A catalyst electrode layer includes an anion conductive elastomer in which a quaternary base type anion exchange group is introduced into at least a part of an aromatic ring of a copolymer of an aromatic vinyl compound, and a conjugated diene compound or a copolymer where a double bond of a main chain is partially or completely saturated by hydrogenating a conjugated diene part of the copolymer, and in which at least a part of the quaternary base type anion exchange group forms a cross-linked structure; and an electrode catalyst.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture including a catalytic substrate with a surface layer providing balanced active sites for adsorption/dissociation of H2 and adsorption of OHad for use in AFCs.

Abstract: Ozone treated carbon electrodes can provide increased catalytic activity, such as in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) or other electrochemical device or other device that could benefit from an increased catalytic activity, such as lithium ion or other batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, or electroanalytical instruments. Devices, methods of making, and methods of using are discussed.

Abstract: A catalyst support material comprising TiO2, and optionally being doped with a transition metal element, and a method for synthesizing the same have been developed. The catalyst support material exhibits an electrical conductivity comparable to widely-used carbon materials. This is because the TiO2 present is primarily arranged in its rutile crystalline phase. Furthermore, a mesoporous morphology provides the catalyst support material with appropriate porosity and surface area properties such that it may be utilized as part of a fuel cell electrode (anode and/or cathode). The TiO2-based catalyst support material may be formed using a template method in which precursor titanium and transition metal alkoxides are hydrolyzed onto the surface of a latex template, dried, and heat treated.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in some embodiments, hybrid materials having reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) and nanoparticles of a conductive, transparent metal oxide such as tin-doped indium oxide (ITO). The material can further include one or more transition metal catalysts, such as {Ru(Mebimpy)[4,4?-((HO)2OPCH2)2bpy](OH2)}2+. Oxidation of water, benzyl alcohol, and other useful reactants is possible when the material is employed as an electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dispersion liquid for an electrode catalyst, the method comprising a step of supporting a precious metal on the surface of a carrier by an electrodeposition process using a raw material mixed solution in which a particulate carrier is dispersed in a solvent and a compound including the precious metal element is dissolved in the solvent, wherein the carrier has oxygen reduction capability and is free of precious metal elements.

Abstract: Titanium suboxide (TixO2x-1) nanoparticles useful as a support for a catalyst electrode of a fuel cell, and a method for synthesizing the titanium suboxide (TixO2x-1) nanoparticles by using TiO2, a Co catalyst and hydrogen gas at a low temperature ranging from 600 to 900° C. are described Since the titanium suboxide nanoparticles show high corrosion resistance to acid and durability and have excellent thermal and electric conductivities, a catalyst electrode manufactured by using the same as a support exhibits improved catalytic activity and oxidation reduction (redox) properties.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor resin composition includes an organic polymer resin; a fluorinated-organic complex of silver ion; a monomer having multifunctional ethylene-unsaturated bonds; a photoinitiator; and an organic solvent. The metallic pattern is formed by forming catalyst pattern on a base using the catalyst precursor resin composition reducing the formed catalyst pattern, and electroless plating the reduced catalyst pattern. In the case of forming metallic pattern using the catalyst precursor resin composition, a compatibility of catalyst is good enough not to make precipitation, chemical resistance and adhesive force of the formed catalyst layer are good, catalyst loss is reduced during wet process such as development or plating process, depositing speed is improved, and thus a metallic pattern having good homogeneous and micro pattern property may be formed after electroless plating.

Abstract: A method of preparing a nitrogen containing electrode catalyst by converting a high surface area metal-organic framework (MOF) material free of platinum group metals that includes a transition metal, an organic ligand, and an organic solvent via a high temperature thermal treatment to form catalytic active sites in the MOF. At least a portion of the contained organic solvent may be replaced with a nitrogen containing organic solvent or an organometallic compound or a transition metal salt to enhance catalytic performance. The electrode catalysts may be used in various electrochemical systems, including a proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell electrode, which has increased physical and chemical durability, and a method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) using the same. According to the present invention, the fuel cell electrode is manufactured by controlling the amount of platinum supported on a first carbon support used in an anode to be smaller than that used in a cathode to increase the mechanical strength of a catalyst layer and maintain the thickness of the catalyst layer after prolonged operation and by adding carbon nanofibers containing a radical scavenger to a catalyst slurry to decrease deterioration of chemical durability.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium-ion secondary battery, has a current collector and an active-material layer bound on a surface of the current collector. The active-material layer includes active materials, binders, conductive additives, and buffer materials. The active materials include Si and/or Sn, and the buffer materials comprise a silicone composite powder in which a spherical silicone-rubber powder is covered with a silicone resin.

Abstract: A method for producing an activated carbon material includes forming an aqueous mixture of a natural, non-lignocellulosic carbon precursor and an inorganic compound, heating the mixture in an inert or reducing atmosphere, cooling the heated mixture to form a first carbon material, and removing the inorganic compound to produce an activated carbon material. The activated carbon material is suitable to form improved carbon-based electrodes for use in high energy density devices.

Abstract: A method for forming a gold-containing catalyst with porous structure according to one embodiment of the present invention includes producing a starting alloy by melting together of gold and at least one less noble metal that is selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, rhodium, palladium, and platinum; and a dealloying step comprising at least partial removal of the less noble metal by dissolving the at least one less noble metal out of the starting alloy. Additional methods and products thereof are also presented.

Abstract: The processes include: a layer superposition step in which the step of sputtering or vapor-depositing a mixture layer including a first pore-forming metal and a catalyst metal on a substrate and the step of forming an interlayer of a second pore-forming metal or a fibrous-carbon interlayer are alternately conducted repeatedly two or more times to thereby form a multilayer structure containing mixture layers and interlayers; and a pore formation step in which after the layer superposition step, the multilayer structure is subjected to a pore formation treatment.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, comprising a first support step of producing metallic fine particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 1.5 nm provided at regulated particle intervals on an electroconductive carbon carrier, and a second support step of growing a metal identical to or dissimilar to the metal using the metallic fine particles as a nucleus. In the first support step, the metallic fine particles are supported by an immersion method. The above constitution can provide an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, which has a high level of percentage support, has a high level of dispersibility, and has improved methanol oxidation activity per weight of the catalyst. Further, when treatment in an atmosphere containing hydrogen is carried out at a low temperature below 100° C., the methanol oxidation activity per active surface area can be improved without lowering the active area.

Abstract: Toxic organic materials contaminate water resources and one need to find an easy and energy efficient way to decontaminate water resources. The current invention discloses a photocatalyst Fe doped ZnO nano-particle photocatalyst that enables the decontamination process by degrading toxic organic material such as brilliant cresyl blue, indigo carmine and gentian blue by using solar light. In the current disclosure many examples of characterization of the photocatalyst, optimal working conditions and efficient use of solar light has been described. The process described to use the photocatalyst to degrade toxic organic material using the solar light to activate the photocatalyst is cost efficient and cheap to clean our water resources.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell comprising a gradient catalyst structure and a method of making the same. The gradient catalyst structure can include a plurality of catalyst nanoparticles, e.g., platinum, disposed on layered buckypaper. The layered buckypaper can include at least a first layer and a second layer and the first layer can have a lower porosity compared to the second layer. The gradient catalyst structure can include single-wall nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or both in the first layer of the layered buckypaper and can include carbon nanofibers in the second layer of the layered buckypaper. The MEA can have a catalyst utilization efficiency of at least 0.35 gcat/kW or less.

Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing a porous metal material. The method includes: obtaining a composite of a DNA hydrogel and a metal precursor by mixing the DNA hydrogel and the metal precursor; and reducing the composite of the DNA hydrogel and the metal precursor.

Abstract: The invention discloses core/shell, type catalyst particles comprising a Mcore/Mshell structure with Mcore=inner particle core and Mshell=outer particle shell, wherein the medium diameter of the catalyst particle (dcore+shell) is in the range of 20 to 100 nm, preferably in the range of 20 to 50 nm. The thickness of the outer shell (tshell) is about 5 to 20% of the diameter of the inner particle core of said catalyst particle, preferably comprising at least 3 atomic layers. The core/shell type catalyst particles, particularly the particles comprising a Pt˜based shell reveal a high specific activity. The catalyst particles are preferably supported on suitable support materials such as carbon black and are used as electrocatalysts for fuel cells.

Abstract: A nanofibrous catalyst and method of manufacture. A precursor solution of a transition metal based material is formed into a plurality of interconnected nanofibers by electro-spinning the precursor solution with the nanofibers converted to a catalytically active material by a heat treatment. Selected subsequent treatments can enhance catalytic activity.

Abstract: A multimetallic nanoscale catalyst having a core portion enveloped by a shell portion and exhibiting high catalytic activity and improved catalytic durability. In various embodiments, the core/shell nanoparticles comprise a gold particle coated with a catalytically active platinum bimetallic material. The shape of the nanoparticles is substantially defined by the particle shape of the core portion. The nanoparticles may be dispersed on a high surface area substrate for use as a catalyst and is characterized by no significant loss in surface area and specific activity following extended potential cycling.

Abstract: Sulfonated silane ionomeric materials useful in electrodes of e.g., membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) of fuel cells can improve cell performance. MEAs prepared with CCE cathode catalyst layers and standard ELAT anode layers over a period of several start-stop cycles, as well as at multiple relative humidities were studied. The MEA performance was monitored using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and fuel cell polarization curves. The CCE cathode materials appeared to maintain performance and had improved water management capabilities at comparatively low relative humidities.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst layer for use in a fuel cell, the layer having a composite particle material in which catalyst particles are supported on conductive particles, a proton conductive polymer and a metal oxide, wherein said metal oxide is non-particulate.

Abstract: Nanoporous and mesoporous carbon materials are fabricated in a pyrolysis process in which a starting mixture including a carbonizing polymer and a pyrolyzing polymer are employed. In one instance, the carbonizing polymer and pyrolyzing polymer are joined together in the form of a block copolymer. In another instance, the carbonizing polymer is a polyfurfuryl alcohol and the pyrolyzing polymer is polyethylene glycol diacid. These two polymer materials are mixed together and not copolymerized. The pore structure of the material may be controlled by controlling the molecular weight of various of the polymer components.