An electrode for a reaction in a chemical cell includes a substrate having a surface, an array of nanostructures supported by the substrate and extending outward from the surface of the substrate, each nanostructure of the array of nanostructures having a semiconductor composition, and a catalyst arrangement disposed along each nanostructure of the array of nanostructures, the catalyst arrangement comprising a metal-based catalyst for the reaction in the chemical cell. The semiconductor composition of each nanostructure of the array of nanostructures establishes sites at which the metal-based catalyst is anchored to the nanostructure. The array of nanostructures and the catalyst arrangement are configured such that the metal-based catalyst is distributed along sidewalls of each nanostructure of the array of nanostructures at an atomic scale.

An electrode material of a fibrous structure, has a platinum-based electrocatalytic material, an electrospinning polymer material, and an oxide material and/or one or more organophosphorus acid material with ion conduction. In the micromorphology has the structure of nanofibers, but also has porous morphological characteristics, the electrode material of this structure is prepared by electrostatic spinning technology, can be used as a high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell porous electrode.

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.

A method for making nanoporous nickel composite material comprises: providing a cathode plate and a copper-containing anode plate, electroplating a copper material layer a surface of the cathode plate; laying a carbon nanotube layer on the copper material layer, and forming an overlapped structure of the copper material layer and the carbon nanotube laye; the cathode plate and the overlapped structure are used as a cathode, and a nickel-containing anode plate is used as an anode, plating a nickel material layer on the overlapped structure to form sandwich structure; repeating steps S1 to S3 to obtain a carbon nanotube-reinforced copper-nickel alloy; rolling and annealing the carbon nanotube-reinforced copper-nickel alloy; and etching the carbon nanotube-reinforced copper-nickel alloy to form the nanoporous nickel composite material.

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.

A method for forming an electrode catalyst layer by putting catalyst ink within an insulative container having a conductive nozzle in communication with the interior of the container and applying an electrospray voltage to the nozzle to cause electrospray of the catalyst ink through the tip end of the nozzle and thereby to form an electrode catalyst layer, the method includes preparing catalyst ink containing a mixture of at least electrode catalyst, polymer electrolyte binder and volatile organic compound and/or water, putting the catalyst ink within the container with a space remaining inside thereof and air-tightly sealing the container, and electrospraying with the space inside of the air-tightly sealed container being conditioned to have a negative pressure of a level at which the catalyst ink cannot drip off from the nozzle.

A method of preparing a catalyst for a fuel cell includes no carbon support. The method of preparing a catalyst for a fuel cell includes preparing a first metal nanoparticle having a polyhedral shape, growing a second metal along the edge of the first metal nanoparticle, and removing the first metal nanoparticle.

A cathode configured to use oxygen as a cathode active material includes: a porous electrically conductive framework substrate; and a coating layer disposed on a surface of the porous electrically conductive framework substrate, wherein the coating layer includes at least one of a lithium-containing metal oxide or a composite including a lithium-containing metal oxide, and wherein a porosity of the porous electrically conductive framework substrate is about 70 percent to about 99 percent, based on a total volume of the cathode, and an areal resistance of the porous electrically conductive framework substrate is about 0.01 milliohms per square centimeter to about 100 milliohms per square centimeter.

An apparatus is provided according to embodiments of the present invention which includes a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber; exoelectrogenic bacteria disposed in the interior of the reaction chamber; an aqueous medium having a pH in the range of 3-9, inclusive, the aqueous medium including an organic substrate oxidizable by exoelectrogenic bacteria and the medium disposed in the interior of the reaction chamber. An inventive apparatus further includes an anode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber; and a brush or mesh cathode including stainless steel, nickel or titanium, the cathode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber.

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 it 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.