The disclosure includes a platinum-based alloy catalyst and a preparation method thereof, a membrane electrode and a fuel cell. The method for preparing the platinum-based alloy catalyst comprises the following steps: (1) preparing nano-sized alloy particles of platinum and 3d transition metal; (2) carrying out acid treatment on the alloy particles prepared in step (1); and (3) annealing the alloy particles treated in step (2). The size of the platinum-based alloy particles is controlled, an atom number ratio of platinum to transition metal in the platinum-based alloy is controlled, and then etching and dissolution of acid is combined so that an atom number ratio of platinum to transition metal is further controlled, subsequently annealing is carried out at high temperature. The prepared platinum-based alloy catalyst improves the stability and durability of the platinum-based alloy catalyst, which supports the large-scale application of the platinum-based alloy catalyst in the fuel cell.

A cathode structure of a fuel cell is disclosed. The cathode structure comprises a cathode diffusion layer, wherein an air permeability adjusting structure is arranged around the cathode diffusion layer, and the cathode air permeability of the air permeability adjusting structure gradually varies in the flow direction of fluid. According to the cathode structure of a fuel cell, by means of arranging the air permeability adjusting structure, with variable cathode air permeability around the cathode diffusion layer, the difference caused by different temperatures and humidity is subtly compensated for, thus improving the problem of water accumulation or dehydration in a cathode structure of a fuel cell, and effectively improving the water management of the fuel cell.

The disclosure includes a platinum-based alloy catalyst and a preparation method thereof, a membrane electrode and a fuel cell. The method for preparing the platinum-based alloy catalyst comprises the following steps: (1) preparing nano-sized alloy particles of platinum and 3d transition metal; (2) carrying out acid treatment on the alloy particles prepared in step (1); and (3) annealing the alloy particles treated in step (2). The size of the platinum-based alloy particles is controlled, an atom number ratio of platinum to transition metal in the platinum-based alloy is controlled, and then etching and dissolution of acid is combined so that an atom number ratio of platinum to transition metal is further controlled, subsequently annealing is carried out at high temperature. The prepared platinum-based alloy catalyst improves the stability and durability of the platinum-based alloy catalyst, which supports the large-scale application of the platinum-based alloy catalyst in the fuel cell.

A method of coating a membrane having a first side and an opposite second side and carried with its second side adhering to a backer film is provided. The method includes coating the first side of the membrane with a catalyst ink or slurry with the second side adhering to the backer film and curing the coating on the first side. The backer film is then removed to expose the second side of the membrane which is fed onto a vacuum conveyor with the coated first side facing the conveyor. The second side of the membrane is then coated with a catalyst ink or slurry and the coating on the second side cured after which the membrane is removed from the vacuum conveyor.

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.

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.

Disclosed is a method for infiltrating a porous structure with a precursor solution by means of humidification. The infiltration method with a precursor solution using moisture control comprises the steps of: (S1) providing a substrate having porous structures deposited thereon; (S2) depositing, by electrospraying, a precursor solution on the substrate having porous structures deposited thereon; (S3) humidifying the porous structures having the precursor solution deposited thereon; and (S4) sintering the humidified porous structures.

An anode component for a lithium-ion cell is formed using an atmospheric plasma deposition. The anode component has an anode material layer comprising high lithium-intercalating capacity silicon particles as active anode material in pores of a bonded layer of metal particles. The atmospheric plasma deposition process deposits metal particles and smaller silicon-containing particles concurrently or sequentially on an anode current collector substrate or polymeric separator substrate for the lithium-ion cell. The anode material layer may optionally be lithiated in the atmospheric plasma deposition process. The plasma deposition process is used to form a porous electrode layer on the substrate consisting essentially of a porous metal matrix containing smaller particles of the electrode material particles supported and carried in the pores of the matrix. When the anode component is assembled into a cell, remaining pore capacity is filled with a lithium-ion containing liquid electrolyte solution.

A new solvent-based method is presented for making low-cost composite graphite electrodes containing a thermoplastic binder. The electrodes, termed thermoplastic electrodes (TPEs), are easy to fabricate and pattern, give excellent electrochemical performance, and have high conductivity (1500 S m.sup.1). The thermoplastic binder enables the electrodes to be hot embossed, molded, templated, and/or cut with a CO.sub.2 laser into a variety of intricate patterns. These electrodes show a marked improvement in peak current, peak separation, and resistance to charge transfer over traditional carbon electrodes. The impact of electrode composition, surface treatment (sanding, polishing, plasma treatment), and graphite source were found to impact fabrication, patterning, conductivity, and electrochemical performance. Under optimized conditions, electrodes generated responses similar to more expensive and difficult to fabricate graphene and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite electrodes. These TPE electrodes provide an approach for fabricating high-performance carbon electrodes with applications ranging from sensing to batteries.

An atomically dispersed precursor (ADP) for preparing a non-platinum group metal electrocatalyst includes: sacrificial metal centers comprising a sacrificial metal selected from Cd and Zn; metal active sites comprising a transition metal; and first and second ligands linking the sacrificial metal centers and the metal active sites into a network. The ADP may be immobilized on a carbon support. The first and second ligands may comprise N-containing ligands of different carbon chain lengths. Alternatively, the first and second ligands may comprise N-containing ligands and O-containing ligands, respectively.