An electrode for a lithium-ion battery is provided, which comprises: a current collector; and an electrode material layer disposed on the current collector, wherein the electrode material layer comprises an anode material and a binder, the binder is pectin, its derivative or a combination thereof, and the anode material is selected from the group consisting of lithium vanadium oxide, lithium titanium oxide, lithium iron oxide, graphite, and a combination thereof. In addition, a lithium-ion battery comprising the aforesaid electrode is also provided.

A liquid electrolyte formed by reacting phosphoric acid (H.sub.3PO.sub.4) in the liquid state with silicon tetrachloride (SiCl.sub.4), thereby forming a fluid suspension. The fluid suspension is heated to yield a liquid electrolyte including phosphoric acid (H.sub.3PO.sub.4), pyrophosphoric acid (H.sub.4P.sub.2O.sub.7), and a particulate solid comprising a silicophosphoric acid, wherein the silicophosphoric acid is an acidic molecular compound including silicon and phosphorus. A concentrated silicophosphoric acid composition prepared by removing most of the liquid from the liquid electrolyte is dissolved in water to yield a homogeneous solution. The homogeneous solution is dried to yield a solid electrolyte. In some cases, the homogenous solution is dried on a substrate to coat at least a portion of the substrate with a proton conductive solid electrolyte. A fuel cell may include the liquid electrolyte, the solid electrolyte, or the coated substrate.

A liquid electrolyte formed by reacting phosphoric acid (H.sub.3PO.sub.4) in the liquid state with silicon tetrachloride (SiCl.sub.4), thereby forming a fluid suspension. The fluid suspension is heated to yield a liquid electrolyte including phosphoric acid (H.sub.3PO.sub.4), pyrophosphoric acid (H.sub.4P.sub.2O.sub.7), and a particulate solid comprising a silicophosphoric acid, wherein the silicophosphoric acid is an acidic molecular compound including silicon and phosphorus. A concentrated silicophosphoric acid composition prepared by removing most of the liquid from the liquid electrolyte is dissolved in water to yield a homogeneous solution. The homogeneous solution is dried to yield a solid electrolyte. In some cases, the homogenous solution is dried on a substrate to coat at least a portion of the substrate with a proton conductive solid electrolyte. A fuel cell may include the liquid electrolyte, the solid electrolyte, or the coated substrate.

A hydrogen generation apparatus according to the present invention includes: a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas through a reforming reaction; a combustor configured to heat the reformer; an air supply device configured to supply air to the combustor; a fuel supply device configured to supply a fuel to the combustor; a CO detector configured to detect a carbon monoxide concentration in a flue gas discharged from the combustor; and a controller configured to control at least one of the air supply device and the fuel supply device to increase an air ratio in the combustor such that the CO concentration in the flue gas increases, and then test the CO detector for abnormality.

An illustrative example fuel cell electrolyte management device includes a first component having a first density and a second component having a second density that is less than the first density. The first component has a first side including a pocket and a second side facing opposite the first side. The second side of the first component includes a first plurality of fluid flow channels. The second component has a porosity configured for storing electrolyte in the second component. The second component fits within the pocket. The second component has a first side received directly against the first side of the first component. The second component has a second side including a second plurality of fluid flow channels.

A liquid electrolyte formed by reacting phosphoric acid (H.sub.3PO.sub.4) in the liquid state with silicon tetrachloride (SiCl.sub.4), thereby forming a fluid suspension. The fluid suspension is heated to yield a liquid electrolyte including phosphoric acid (H.sub.3PO.sub.4), pyrophosphoric acid (H.sub.4P.sub.2O.sub.7), and a particulate solid comprising a silicophosphoric acid, wherein the silicophosphoric acid is an acidic molecular compound including silicon and phosphorus. A concentrated silicophosphoric acid composition prepared by removing most of the liquid from the liquid electrolyte is dissolved in water to yield a homogeneous solution. The homogeneous solution is dried to yield a solid electrolyte. In some cases, the homogenous solution is dried on a substrate to coat at least a portion of the substrate with a proton conductive solid electrolyte. A fuel cell may include the liquid electrolyte, the solid electrolyte, or the coated substrate.

According to the invention, a device is provided for extending the service life of a high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. This device includes an HT-PEM fuel cell with at least one cell. The cell is constructed according to the following sequence: a supply plate with an anode channel structure, an anode gas diffusion electrode, an electrolyte-containing polymer membrane, a cathode gas diffusion electrode, and a supply plate with a cathode channel structure. In addition, at least one acid-filled acid reservoir is provided, which is connected to a distributor channel extending in the supply plates approximately perpendicular to the channel structures, the distributor channel being connected to at least one of the gas diffusion electrodes and/or the polymer membrane of at least one of the cells of the fuel cell stack in such a way that acid can be supplied to at least one of the gas diffusion electrodes and/or the polymer membrane of at least one of the cells of the fuel cell stack.

An aqueous electrolyte solution for a proton battery of the present disclosure contains water and pyrophosphoric acid (H.sub.4P.sub.2O.sub.7) dissolved in water at a concentration of 6 mol or more per kilogram of water, and does not have a freezing point at 60 C. or higher. The proton battery of the present disclosure includes the aqueous electrolyte solution of the present disclosure. The proton battery of the present disclosure includes the aqueous electrolyte solution of the present disclosure.

The invention of the current application is directed to a cooling spray system and method for a high temperature proton exchange membrane (HTPEM) fuel cell including a HTPEM fuel cell including a cathode and an anode, a liquid sprayer, and a storage vessel containing a mixture of water and electrolyte. The storage vessel is in fluid communication with the liquid sprayer and the liquid sprayer is positioned to spray the mixture of water and electrolyte into the air supply of the cathode.

Disclosed is a novel active material operatable in an aqueous battery. The aqueous battery of the present disclosure includes a positive electrode, an aqueous electrolyte solution and a negative electrode. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode active material, and the negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material. One of or both the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material include(s) a composite oxide. The composite oxide contains Na, at least one transition metal element of Fe, Ti, Ni and Mn, and O. The aqueous electrolyte solution contains water and potassium polyphosphate dissolved in the water.