The present invention relates to a core-shell Fe.sub.2P@C—Fe.sub.3C electrocatalyst and a preparation method and application thereof. The core-shell Fe.sub.2P@C—Fe.sub.3C electrocatalyst comprises a carbon nanotube as a matrix which is formed by a carbon layer with FeC.sub.3 nano-dots distributed therein, and Fe.sub.2P@C embedded in the carbon nanotube. The Fe.sub.2P@C has a core-shell structure and is formed by coating Fe.sub.2P with carbon.

A composition comprised of a tin (Sn) or lead (Pb) film, wherein the film is coated by a shell, wherein the shell: (a) is comprised of an active metal, and (b) is characterized by a thickness of less than 50 nm, is discloses herein. Further disclosed herein is the use of the composition for the oxidation of e.g., methanol, ethanol, formic acid, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, methyl formate, and glucose.

A method for producing a carbon nanomaterial for use as a catalyst, including the steps of: (a) providing a precursor which is a source of lignin, (b) heating the precursor to an activation temperature from 700° C. to 800° C. in the presence of an alkali solution in order to produce an activated precursor, and (c) reacting the activated precursor with a source of nitrogen atoms in order to dope the activated precursor with nitrogen atoms, wherein the precursor is heated in step (b) to the activation temperature at a rate of at least 500° C. per minute.

A membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that are capable of improving water release in a high current region, where a large amount of water is generated, without impairing water retention under low humidity conditions, and also capable of exhibiting high power generation performance and durability under high humidity conditions, and also reducing the production cost of the electrode catalyst layer. A membrane electrode assembly of the present embodiment includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a pair of electrode catalyst layers sandwiching the polymer electrolyte membrane. At least one of the pair of electrode catalyst layers contains catalyst-supporting particles having a hydrophobic coating, hydrophobic polymer fibers, and a polymer electrolyte.

An electrode catalyst for a fuel battery includes a mesoporous material and catalyst metal particles supported at least in the mesoporous material. In the electrode catalyst for a fuel battery, before supporting the catalyst metal particles, the mesoporous material has mesopores having a mode radius of greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 25 nm and has a value of greater than 0.90, the value being determined by dividing a specific surface area S.sub.1-25 (m.sup.2/g) of the mesopores obtained by analyzing a nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm according to a BJH method, the mesopores having a radius of greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 25 nm, by a BET specific surface area (m.sup.2/g) evaluated according to a BET method.

An electrode catalyst is configured such that non-noble metal particles, noble metal particles or nitride-doped noble metal particles are supported on a carbon support, wherein the carbon support has a 2D planar crystal structure or a 3D polyhedral crystal structure and is doped with nitrogen, thereby exhibiting increased catalytic activity.

A process for the preparation of a catalytic material of an electrode for electrochemical reduction reactions, said material comprising an active phase based on at least one metal from group VIb and an electroconductive support, which process is carried out according to at least the following stages:

a stage of bringing said support into contact with at least one solution containing at least one precursor of at least one metal from group VIb;

a drying stage at a temperature of less than 250° C., without a subsequent calcination stage;

a stage of sulfurization at a temperature of between 100° C. and 600° C.

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 are a metal single-atom catalyst and a method for preparing the same. The method uses a minimal amount of chemicals and is thus environmentally friendly compared to conventional chemical and/or physical methods. In addition, the method enables the preparation of a single-atom catalyst in a simple and economical manner without the need for further treatment such as acid treatment or heat treatment. Furthermore, the method is universally applicable to the preparation of single-atom catalysts irrespective of the kinds of metals and supports, unlike conventional methods that suffer from very limited choices of metal materials and supports. Therefore, the method can be widely utilized to prepare various types of metal single-atom catalysts. All metal atoms in the metal single-atom catalyst can participate in catalytic reactions. This optimal atom utilization achieves maximum reactivity per unit mass and can minimize the amount of the metal used, which is very economical.

An innovative fuel cell system with membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, a gas diffusion layer (GDL) made of porous metal foam, and a catalyst layer. A fuel cell has a metal foam layer that improves efficiency and lifetime of the conventional gas diffusion layer, which consists of both gas diffusion barrier (GDB) and microporous layer (MPL). This metal foam GDL enables consistent maintenance of the suitable structure and even distribution of pores during the operation. Due to the combination of mechanical and physical properties of metallic foam, the fuel cell is not deformed by external physical strain. Among many other processing methods of open-cell metal foams, ice-templating provides a cheap, easy processing route suitable for mass production. Furthermore, it provides well-aligned and long channel pores, which improve gas and water flow during the operation of the fuel cell.