A fuel cell catalyst, including: one or more substantially monodisperse nanocrystals, wherein the one or more substantially monodisperse nanocrystals include an octahedral morphology or nanocrystal geometry including eight exclusively exposed {101} facets. In embodiments, a cathode including the fuel cell catalyst is also provided, including methods of making the fuel cell catalyst.

A fuel cell catalyst, including: one or more substantially monodisperse nanocrystals, wherein the one or more substantially monodisperse nanocrystals include an octahedral morphology or nanocrystal geometry including eight exclusively exposed {101} facets. In embodiments, a cathode including the fuel cell catalyst is also provided, including methods of making the fuel cell catalyst.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a novel class of polymers with superior mechanical properties and chemical stability, as compared to known polymers. These polymers are particularly well suited for use in anion exchange membranes (AEMs), including those employed in fuel cells. Novel methods for the manufacture of these polymers are also described.

A fuel cell bipolar plate (BPP) includes a metal substrate having a bulk portion and a surface portion comprising an anticorrosive, conductive material having oxygen vacancies and a formula (I):
MgTi.sub.2O.sub.5-δ  (I),
where .sub.δ is any number between 0 and 3 optionally including a fractional part denoting the oxygen vacancies, the material having an electronic conductivity of about 2-10 S/m at room temperature in an ambient environment.

An anion exchange membrane includes a porous structural framework and bismuth atoms bonded to pore surfaces of the porous structural framework. Each bismuth atom is bonded to a pore surface by way of one or two oxygen atoms.

Embodiments of the invention include fuel cells incorporating sheets and/or powders of silica fibers and methods for producing such devices. The silica fibers may be formed via electrospinning of a sol gel produced with a silicon alkoxide reagent, such as tetraethyl ortho silicate, alcohol solvent, and an acid catalyst.

A redox mediator-containing electrolyte incorporated into a battery cell is described. The redox mediator-containing electrolyte includes water, at least one hydroxide salt dissolved in the water, and at least one redox mediator incorporated into the water. The at least one redox mediator increases at least one of a rate capability or a cycle life of the battery cell by at least 10%. Also described are battery cells that may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and the redox mediator-containing electrolyte. The battery cells may further include an ion-selective material that diffuses hydroxide ions through the material at a faster rate than at least one of the redox mediators.

A redox mediator-containing electrolyte incorporated into a battery cell is described. The redox mediator-containing electrolyte includes water, at least one hydroxide salt dissolved in the water, and at least one redox mediator incorporated into the water. The at least one redox mediator increases at least one of a rate capability or a cycle life of the battery cell by at least 10%. Also described are battery cells that may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and the redox mediator-containing electrolyte. The battery cells may further include an ion-selective material that diffuses hydroxide ions through the material at a faster rate than at least one of the redox mediators.

Some aspects of the invention may be directed to a catalyst layer for anodes of Alkaline Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (AEMFC). Such catalyst layer may include catalyst nanoparticles and an ionomer. Each catalyst nanoparticle may include one or more nanoparticles of catalytically active metal supported on at least one nanoparticle of crystalline RuO.sub.2. The diameter of the at least one nanoparticle of the crystalline RuO.sub.2 may be about order of magnitude larger than the diameter of the one or more nanoparticles of catalytically active metal.

Some aspects of the invention may be directed to a catalyst layer for anodes of Alkaline Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (AEMFC). Such catalyst layer may include catalyst nanoparticles and an ionomer. Each catalyst nanoparticle may include one or more nanoparticles of catalytically active metal supported on at least one nanoparticle of crystalline RuO.sub.2. The diameter of the at least one nanoparticle of the crystalline RuO.sub.2 may be about order of magnitude larger than the diameter of the one or more nanoparticles of catalytically active metal.