According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a catalyst for rechargeable energy storage devices having a first transition metal and a second transition metal, wherein the first and second transition metals are formed on carbon nanotubes, the carbon nanotubes are doped with nitrogen and phosphorous, wherein the carbon nanotubes have edges and interlayer spaces and are axially aligned, and the first and second transition metals form bimetal centers, wherein the bimetal centers may be uniformly distributed catalytic active sites located at the edges or the interlayer spaces of the carbon nanotubes providing intercalated layers. The present FeCo—NPCNTs are a morphology-dependent catalyst that provides effective performance for bifunctional oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction in metal-air-cells and fuel cells.

An electrically conductive hybrid material includes: a covalent organic framework having pores; and a conductor material, wherein the covalent organic framework is supported on the conductor material. The covalent organic framework that does not have electron conductivity is supported on the conductor material such as a carbon material, thereby can be given the electron conductivity, and becomes usable as such a catalyst material and such an electrode material, which involve the electron transfer, these materials including an electrode catalyst material of a fuel cell, and the like.

Provided is a fuel cell catalyst composition comprising a C12A7:X.sup.− inorganic material having a structure in which oxygen anions of C12A7 are replaced by halogen (X) anions, or comprising a C12A7:X.sup.−-based inorganic material which is a C12A7:X.sup.− partially converted to electride. A fuel cell comprising the fuel cell catalyst composition in a catalyst layer is also provided. Also provided is a method of producing a fuel cell catalyst composition, comprising a step of heat-treating C12A7:X.sup.− at temperature of 1000-1300° C. for at least 20 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere.

A metal air flow battery includes an electrochemical reaction unit and an oxygen exchange unit. The electrochemical reaction unit includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an ionic conductive membrane between the anode and the cathode, an anode electrolyte, and a cathode electrolyte. The oxygen exchange unit contacts the cathode electrolyte with oxygen separate from the electrochemical reaction unit. At least one pump is provided for pumping cathode electrolyte between the electrochemical reaction unit and the oxygen exchange unit. A method for producing an electrical current is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a metal phthalocyanine polymer that includes a repeating structural unit obtained by amide bonding of a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1a) to a structural unit represented by the following general formula (2a): ##STR00001## With general formula (1a), L is a divalent or trivalent metal ion belonging to Period 3 to Period 5 on the long-form periodic table. With general formula (2a), M is a divalent or trivalent metal ion belonging to Period 3 to Period 5 on the long-form periodic table.

Methods and compositions for making fuel cell components are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a substrate, and forming or adhering an electrode on the substrate, wherein the forming includes depositing an aqueous mixture comprising water, a water-insoluble component, a catalyst, and an ionomer. The water-insoluble component comprises a water-insoluble alcohol, a water-insoluble carboxylic acid, or a combination thereof. The use of such water-insoluble components results in a stable liquid medium with reduced reticulation upon drying, reduced dissolution of the substrate, and reduced penetration of the pores of the substrate.

The present application relates to a fuel cell and a method of manufacturing the same.

The invention relates to a catalyst which is suitable for use in an anode of a fuel cell. The catalyst comprises (i) nickel metal and (ii) at least one metal selected from transition metals and may optionally also comprise (iii) at least one metal selected from alkaline earth metals. Metals (i), (ii) and, if present, (iii) are supported on (iv) a finely divided electrically conductive carrier. The weight ratio (i):((ii)+(iii)) is at least 3:1.

The disclosure relates to a supported catalyst material for a fuel cell. This comprises an electrically conductive, carbon-based carrier material and catalytic structures deposited or grown on the carrier material with a multilayer structure. The core layer comprises an electrically conductive bulk material, with the bulk material in direct contact with the carbon-based carrier material. The thin surface layer has a catalytically active noble metal or an alloy thereof. The preparation is carried out directly onto the carrier material with the deposition of the corresponding starting materials from the gas phase.

The present invention relates to a fuel-cell system. This system includes an anode electrode; a cathode electrode; a separator positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, wherein the separator is not an ion exchange membrane; an anode catalyst; and a cathode catalyst, wherein the cathode catalyst is a non-precious metal catalyst or metal-free catalyst. The present invention also relates to a method of generating energy from crude fuel. This method involves providing a fuel-cell system and contacting the fuel-cell system with a crude fuel under conditions effective to generate energy from the crude fuel.