A catalyst complex for fuel cells and a method for manufacturing an electrode including the same are disclosed. The catalyst complex for fuel cells, which is included in an electrode for fuel cells, includes a first catalyst configured to cause hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and a second catalyst configured to cause water electrolysis reaction, i.e., oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The outer surface of the first catalyst is coated with a first ionomer binder, the outer surface of the second catalyst is coated with a second ionomer binder, and an equivalent weight (EW) of the second ionomer binder differs from an equivalent weight (EW) of the first ionomer binder.

Provided is a catalytically active particle comprising an alloy, said alloy comprising: greater than or equal to 50 atomic % ruthenium (Ru); and 1 to 50 atomic % of one or more transition metals (M) selected from cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe), wherein the sum of the atomic percentages of Ru and M is greater than 65 atomic % of the alloy, and wherein, in the particle, the alloy is not fully or partially encapsulated by a layer of platinum atoms. Devices and processes employing the catalytically active particle are also provided.

Disclosed is a method of operating an Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cell (AMFC) with direct ammonia feeding. The method may include providing AMFC comprising an anode inlet for receiving ammonia and a cathode inlet for receiving oxygen containing gas; operating the AMFC at an operation temperature of above 80° C.; providing the oxygen containing gas; to a cathode of the AMFC at a pressure above the equilibrium vapor pressure of water at the operation temperature; maintaining the pressure during the operation of the AMFC as to maintain water in substantially liquid phase near the cathode; and providing the ammonia to an anode of the AMFC.

An electrochemical cell is provided having an anode, a cathode, and an alkaline electrolyte. The cell is sealed and generates energy via a water-splitting reaction. In accordance with aspects and embodiments, the cathode comprises a surface layer having a first work function and base metal having a second work function. The work function of the surface layer metal is greater than the work function of the base metal. The differences in work functions cause transient charge to travel from the base metal to the surface layer. A double layer of charge forms at the interface of the surface layer and electrolyte that stores energy and drives a water-splitting reaction. Hydrogen gas produced from the water-splitting reaction at the cathode is spontaneously oxidized at the anode, releasing energy, and powering an external load. In some embodiments, the disclosed sealed electrochemical cells may be capable of delivering electrode current densities of 25 mA/cm2 at 0.55V to an external load.

A method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprises the following steps: a first step during which a reinforcement (2) is deposited on a first face of an ion-exchanging membrane (1), the membrane being held on a support film; a second step during which the membrane is unglued from the support film; a third step during which the reinforcement (2′) is deposited on the second face of the ion-exchanging membrane; and a fourth step during which a chemical catalyst element is deposited on the parts left free of the first and second faces of the membrane.

The present invention relates to a catalyst for solid polymer fuel cells in which catalyst particles including platinum and a transition metal M are supported on a carbon powder carrier. The catalyst of the present invention is a catalyst for solid polymer fuel cells in which a molar ratio (Pt/M) of platinum to the transition metal M that form catalyst particles is 2.5 or more, and a ratio (S.sub.COMSA/S.sub.BET) of a platinum specific surface area (S.sub.COMSA) measured by a CO adsorption method to a catalyst specific surface area (S.sub.BET) measured by a BET method is 0.26 or more and 0.32 or less. The catalyst can be produced by preparing an alloy catalyst, then washing the alloy catalyst with a platinum compound solution, and additionally supplying platinum to the surfaces of catalyst particles.

A method for forming a caged electrocatalyst particles for fuel cell applications include a step of forming modified particles having a porous SiO.sub.2 shell on a surface of platinum-containing particles. The modified particles are subjected to acid treatment or electrochemical oxidation to remove a portion of the platinum-containing particle thereby creating caged electrocatalyst particles having a gap between the platinum-containing particles and their SiO.sub.2 shell.

Disclosed is a method of operating an Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cell (AMFC) with direct ammonia feeding. The method may include providing AMFC comprising an anode inlet for receiving ammonia and a cathode inlet for receiving oxygen containing gas; operating the AMFC at an operation temperature of above 80° C.; providing the oxygen containing gas; to a cathode of the AMFC at a pressure above the equilibrium vapor pressure of water at the operation temperature; maintaining the pressure during the operation of the AMFC as to maintain water in substantially liquid phase near the cathode; and providing the ammonia to an anode of the AMFC.

A cathode in a solid oxide fuel cell containing AgPrCoO.sub.3. The operating temperature range of the cathode is from about 400° C. to about 850° C.

A metal-air battery includes: a cathode layer, an anode layer facing the cathode layer, a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer, and an oxygen permeable protective layer on a surface of the cathode layer