In one aspect, a method of forming an electrode for an electrochemical device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of mixing at least a first amount of a catalyst and a second amount of an ionomer or uncharged polymer to form a solution and delivering the solution into a metallic needle having a needle tip. The method further includes the steps of applying a voltage between the needle tip and a collector substrate positioned at a distance from the needle tip, and extruding the solution from the needle tip at a flow rate such as to generate electrospun fibers and deposit the generated fibers on the collector substrate to form a mat with a porous network of fibers. Each fiber in the porous network of the mat has distributed particles of the catalyst. The method also includes the step of pressing the mat onto a membrane.

An improved platinum and method for manufacturing the improved platinum wherein the platinum having a fractal surface coating of platinum, platinum gray, with a increase in surface area of at least 5 times when compared to shiny platinum of the same geometry and also having improved resistance to physical stress when compared to platinum black having the same surface area. The process of electroplating the surface coating of platinum gray comprising plating at a moderate rate, for example at a rate that is faster than the rate necessary to produce shiny platinum and that is less than the rate necessary to produce platinum black. Platinum gray is applied to manufacture a fuel cell and a catalyst.

A method for forming catalyst particles, each of which has a core/shell structure, by a Cu-UPD method. Namely, a method of manufacturing a catalyst wherein catalyst particles, each of which has a core/shell structure composed of a shell layer that is formed of platinum and a core particle that is covered with the shell layer and is formed of a metal other than platinum, are supported on a carrier. This method is characterized by comprising: an electrolysis step wherein the carrier supporting the core particles is electrolyzed in an electrolytic solution containing copper ions, so that copper is precipitated on the surfaces of the core particles; and a substitution reaction step wherein a platinum compound solution is brought into contact with the core particles, on which copper has been precipitated, so that the copper on the surface of each core particle is substituted by platinum, thereby forming a shell layer that is formed of platinum. This method is further characterized in that the platinum compound solution in the substitution reaction step contains citric acid.

A method of preparing a metal nanoparticle on a surface includes subjecting a metal source to a temperature and a pressure in a carrier gas selected to provide a vapor metal species at a vapor pressure in the range of about 10.sup.4 to about 10.sup.11 atm; contacting the vapor metal species with a heated substrate; and depositing the metal as a nanoparticle on the substrate.

A hot-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet is provided. The strength of which is greater than 900 MPa, the product (strength (in MPa)elongation at fracture (in %)) of which is greater than 45000 and the chemical composition of which includes, the contents being expressed by weight 0.5%C0.7%, 17%Mn24%, Si3%, Al0.050%, S0.030%, P0.080% and N0.1%. A remainder of the composition includes iron and inevitable impurities resulting from the smelting. A recrystallized fraction of the structure of the steel is greater than 75%, a surface fraction of precipitated carbides of the steel is less than 1.5% and a mean grain size of the steel is less than 18 microns. A reinforcing element is also provided.

A method of fabrication produces one or more functional microparticles using a parallel pore working piece. In one embodiment, the method forms a particle that includes a segment for the oxidation of a biofuel (such as glucose) and the reduction of oxygen. The particle may be synthesized in a structure with defined and parallel, uniform, thin pores that completely penetrate the structure. Further, the functional microparticle may be configured to reside in a human or animal body or cell such that i t may be self-contained fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, a separator membrane, and a magnetic component. In other embodiments, the functional microparticles may deliver energy or therapeutic materials in the body.

A method for forming a fuel cell catalyst includes a step of forming an ionomer-containing layer including carbon particles and an ionomer. Tungsten-nickel alloy particles are formed on the carbon particles. At least a portion of the nickel in the tungsten-nickel alloy particles is replaced with palladium to form palladium-coated particles. The palladium-coated particles include a palladium shell covering the tungsten-nickel alloy particles. The palladium-coated particles are coated with platinum to form an electrode layer including core shell catalysts distributed therein.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to devices, systems, and methods for fabricating a solid polymer electrolyte electrode assembly are provided. One or more electrode for a solid polymer electrolyte electrode assembly includes a porous substrate configured as a liquid/gas diffusion layer and an ionomer-free catalyst coated on the substrate.

Improved catalyst layers for use in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, and methods for making such catalyst layers, are provided. Catalyst layers can comprise structured units of catalyst, catalyst support, and ionomer. The structured units can provide for more efficient electrical energy production and/or increased lifespan of fuel cells utilizing such membrane electrode assemblies. Catalyst layers can be directly deposited on exchange membranes, such as proton exchange membranes.

The disclosure is to provide a method for producing a core-shell catalyst that is able to increase the power generation performance of a membrane electrode assembly. A dispersion is prepared, in which a palladium-containing particle support, in which palladium-containing particles are supported on an electroconductive support, is dispersed in water; hydrogen gas is bubbled into the dispersion; the palladium-containing particles are acid treated after the bubbling; copper is deposited on the surface of the palladium-containing particles by applying a potential that is nobler than the oxidation reduction potential of copper to the palladium-containing particles in a copper ion-containing electrolyte after the acid treatment; and then a shell is formed by substituting the copper deposited on the surface of the palladium-containing particles with platinum by bringing the copper deposited on the surface of the palladium-containing particles into contact with a platinum ion-containing solution.