An electrolyte membrane suitable for use in an electrochemical cell is described. It comprises a polymer electrolyte body and at least one metal oxide thin film layer on at least one surface of the polymer electrolyte body, wherein said metal oxide thin film layer is permeable to protons. Furthermore, the method for preparation and uses thereof are disclosed.

An electrolyte membrane suitable for use in an electrochemical cell is described. It comprises a polymer electrolyte body and at least one metal oxide thin film layer on at least one surface of the polymer electrolyte body, wherein said metal oxide thin film layer is permeable to protons. Furthermore, the method for preparation and uses thereof are disclosed.

The present invention relates to a direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFC) comprising an anode terminal electrically connected to an anode catalyst in fluid communication with a fuel supply; a cathode catalyst in fluid communication with a gaseous oxidant; an electrically conducting cathode plate having a collecting element with evaporation holes, a bendable segment and a terminal site, which collecting element is electrically connected to the cathode catalyst; and a housing containing the collecting element, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) between the anode catalyst and the cathode catalyst

The present invention relates to a direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFC) comprising an anode terminal electrically connected to an anode catalyst in fluid communication with a fuel supply; a cathode catalyst in fluid communication with a gaseous oxidant; an electrically conducting cathode plate having a collecting element with evaporation holes, a bendable segment and a terminal site, which collecting element is electrically connected to the cathode catalyst; and a housing containing the collecting element, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) between the anode catalyst and the cathode catalyst

A catalyst layer material, a method for fabricating the same, and a fuel cell are provided. The catalyst layer material utilized for the fuel cell includes a catalyst support and a catalyst distributed on the catalyst support. The catalyst support contains Ti.sub.xM.sub.1−xO.sub.2, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of a Group IB metal, a Group IIA metal, a Group IIB metal, a Group IIIA, a Group VB metal, a Group VIB metal, a Group VIIB metal and a Group VIIIB metal, and 0<X≦0.9. By applying the non-carbonaceous catalyst support containing high conductivity metal elements to the fuel cell, stability and performance of the cell can be effectively enhanced.

A method for preparing M-N—C catalytic material utilizing ball-milling with or without the addition of a sacrificial support.

A reformer assembly includes a vortex tube receiving heated fuel mixed with steam. A catalyst coats the inner wall of the main tube of the vortex tube and a hydrogen-permeable tube is positioned in the middle of the main tube coaxially with the main tube. With this structure the vortex tube outputs primarily Hydrogen from one end and Carbon-based constituents from the other end. In some embodiments a second vortex tube receives the Carbon output of the first vortex tube to establish a water gas shift reactor, producing Hydrogen from the Carbon output of the first vortex tube.

A reformer assembly includes a vortex tube receiving heated fuel mixed with steam. A catalyst coats the inner wall of the main tube of the vortex tube and a hydrogen-permeable tube is positioned in the middle of the main tube coaxially with the main tube. With this structure the vortex tube outputs primarily Hydrogen from one end and Carbon-based constituents from the other end. In some embodiments a second vortex tube receives the Carbon output of the first vortex tube to establish a water gas shift reactor, producing Hydrogen from the Carbon output of the first vortex tube.

The present invention relates to a graphene-based or other 2-D material membrane which allows the passage of protons and deuterons and to a method of facilitating proton or deuteron permeation through such a membrane. Monocrystalline membranes made from mono- and few-layers of graphene, hBN, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), and tungsten disulfide (WS2) etc. are disclosed. In effect, the protons or deuterons are charge carriers that pass through the graphene or other 2-D material membrane. This process can be contrasted with the passage of gaseous hydrogen. Hydrogen is an uncharged gaseous species which is diatomic. In other words, the gas is in molecular form when considering the normal barrier properties whereas in the case of the present invention, the species which is being transported through the membrane is a charged ion comprising a single atom. Membranes of the invention find use in a number of applications such as fuel cells.

A method is proposed by means of which a composite layer is producible in as simple and controlled a manner as possible, and by means of which composite layers with different predetermined properties can be produced with as little expenditure as possible, and thus economically. The method includes: providing a nanofiber material, comminuting the nanofiber material while forming nanorods, providing a liquid medium, which comprises an ionomer component and a dispersant, dispersing the nanorods in the liquid medium while forming a nanorod ionomer dispersion, and applying the nanorod ionomer dispersion to a surface region of a substrate while forming a composite layer. An electrochemical unit including the composite layer is provided. The composite layer is useful in a fuel cell (hydrogen fuel cell or direct alcohol fuel cell), in a redox flow cell, in an electrolytic cell, or in an ion exchanger, and useful for anion or proton conduction.