The present specification relates to a battery, comprising an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode, a halogen in contact with the cathode, and a metal in contact with the anode, wherein the halogen is in contact with a polymeric halogen sequestering agent (HSA) which is a polymer comprising a moiety capable of sequestering the halogen.

An electrochemical energy conversion device 10 comprising a stack of solid oxide electrochemical cells 12 alternating with gas separators 14, 16, wherein scavenger material selected from one or both of free alkali metal oxygen-containing compounds and free alkaline earth metal oxygen-containing compounds is provided in or on one or more of the positive electrode-side of the cell 12, the adjacent gas separator 14 and any other structure of the device 10 forming a gas chamber 64 between the cell and the gas separator. The invention also extends to the treated cell 12.

An electrode (10) includes a first diffusion layer (1) having water repellency, a second diffusion layer (2) supporting a catalyst (4) thereon, and an oxygen-permeable layer (3) having oxygen permeability and interposed between the first diffusion layer and the second diffusion layer. The second diffusion layer includes a sheet-like carbon material. A fuel cell (100) includes an anode (20) supporting microorganisms, an ion transfer layer (30) permeable to hydrogen ions, and a cathode (40) being the electrode (10) and separated from the anode with the ion transfer layer interposed therebetween.

Provided is a catalyst layer for gas diffusion electrode that can be used without using carbon supports, a method for manufacturing the same, a membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cell. The catalyst layer for gas diffusion electrode according to the present invention includes a network-like metallic catalyst formed of a sintered body, the network-like metallic catalyst including nanoparticles linked with each other to have electron conductivity; and an ion conductor, at least a part of the ion conductor contacting the network-like metallic catalyst. Further, the membrane electrode assembly according to the present invention includes a polymer electrolyte membrane provided between an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer, and the catalyst layer for gas diffusion electrode stated above is used in at least one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer.

A catalyst layer (20) for a fuel cell and to a method suitable for producing the catalyst layer (20). The catalyst layer (20) includes a catalyst material (22) containing a catalytic material (24) and optionally porous carrier material (23) on which the catalytic material (24) is supported. The catalyst layer also includes mesoporous particles (21) made from hydrophobic material.

A fuel cell catalyst layer includes an SnO.sub.2 support usable in a wide range of humidity environments and provides high power generation from low to high loads. A production method includes the steps of preparing a catalyst composite of an SnO.sub.2 support and platinum or a platinum alloy supported on a surface thereof, and an ionomer that is a proton-conductive polymer; mixing the catalyst composite, the ionomer and a dispersion medium containing at least water and an alcohol having 3 or 4 carbon atoms where the alcohol content is higher than the water, and where a mass ratio (I/MO)) of the ionomer to the SnO.sub.2 support is 0.06 to 0.12, and a solid content of the catalyst composite and the ionomer is 24% by mass or more; and dispersing aggregates of the catalyst composite and the ionomer in the dispersion medium by pulverizing by shear force, while preventing reaggregation of the aggregates by applying force.

Provided is an air electrode/separator assembly including: a hydroxide ion conductive dense separator; an interface layer containing a hydroxide ion conductive material and an electron conductive material and covering one side of the hydroxide ion conductive dense separator; and an air electrode layer provided on the interface layer and including an outermost catalyst layer composed of a porous current collector and a layered double hydroxide (LDH) covering a surface thereof. The outermost catalyst layer has a porosity of 60% or more.

A method for producing a fluorosulfonyl group-containing compound to obtain a compound represented by the following formula 5 from a compound represented by the following formula 1 as a starting material and a method for producing a fluorosulfonyl group-containing monomer in which the fluorosulfonyl group-containing compound is used: ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are a C.sub.1-3 alkylene group, and R.sup.F1 and R.sup.F2 are a C.sub.1-3 perfluoroalkylene group.

Provided are processes for preparing a thermodynamically stable PtBi.sub.2 alloy nanoparticle. In certain aspects, the process comprises preparing an aqueous mixture, with the aqueous mixture comprising: an inorganic compound comprising SnCl.sub.2; an inorganic compound comprising Bi; and HCl. The process further comprises adding PtCl.sub.4 to the mixture. The process results in the spontaneous reduction of Bi and Pt. Excess SnCl.sub.2 is adsorbed as a ligand at the surface of the PtB.sub.2 alloy nanoparticle, which serves to stabilize the nanoparticle. Another aspect provides a thermodynamically stable PtBi.sub.2 nanoparticle. The nanoparticle comprises a core comprising a PtBi.sub.2 alloy. The nanoparticle further comprises a shell at least partially encapsulating the core, with the shell comprising stannous chloride. The thermodynamically stable PtB.sub.2 nanoparticle has a negative charge.

The present invention is directed to an anode including bacteria, a polymer, and a conductive material, wherein the bacteria, the polymer and the conductive material are deposited on at least one surface of the anode. Further provided is a microbial electrochemical system comprising the herein disclosed anode, and methods of using the same, such as for treating wastewater, hydrogen production, or generating electricity.