A catalyst structure includes: (1) a substrate; (2) a catalyst layer on the substrate; and (3) an adhesion layer disposed between the substrate and the catalyst layer. In some implementations, an average thickness of the adhesion layer is about 1 nm or less. In some implementations, a material of the catalyst layer at least partially extends into a region of the adhesion layer. In some implementations, the catalyst layer is characterized by a lattice strain imparted by the adhesion layer.

A method and apparatus are described for forming a multilayer assembly. The method includes adhering first and second catalyst layers to opposed sides of a polymer membrane. At least one of the first catalyst layer, the second catalyst layer, and the polymer membrane is formed by filament extension atomization of a fluid material to form atomized droplets that are sprayed to form the respective membrane or layer.

A proton conductor contains a metal oxide that has a perovskite structure and that is represented by formula (1): A.sub.xB.sub.1-yM.sub.yO.sub.3-δ, where an element A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ba, Ca, and Sr, an element B is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ce and Zr, an element M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Y, Yb, Er, Ho, Tm, Gd, In, and Sc, δ indicates an oxygen deficiency amount, and 0.95≤x≤1 and 0<y≤0.5 are satisfied.

A composite polymer electrolyte membrane including a polymer electrolyte and a porous substrate, and having a dry tensile modulus of 100 N/cm or more per width and a wet tensile modulus of 35 N/cm or more per width. Enhancing the mechanical characteristics of the electrolyte membrane results in providing an electrolyte membrane that achieves good dry-wet cycle durability.

A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a ceramic electrolyte having a thickness of 100 microns or less, an anode laminated to a first side of the electrolyte, and a cathode located on a second side of the electrolyte opposite to the first side.

Method of producing membrane-electrode assemblies (MEA) and a machine therefore, where a quasi-endless strip of a membrane material doped with a liquid electrolyte is laminated with electrodes and edge regions of the strip and spaces between the electrodes are pressed free from surplus electrolyte.

The present invention relates to a membrane electrode unit comprising a polymer membrane doped with a mineral acid as well as two electrodes, characterized in that the polymer membrane comprises at least one polymer with at least one nitrogen atom and at least one electrode comprises a catalyst which is formed from at least one precious metal and at least one metal less precious according to the electrochemical series.

Provided are an electrode catalyst layer, a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, having sufficient drainage property and gas diffusibility with high power generation performance over a long term. An electrode catalyst layer (10) bonded to a surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane (11) includes at least a catalyst substance (12), a conductive carrier (13), a polymer electrolyte (14) and fibrous substances (15). The number of the fibrous substances (15) in which inclination θ of axes with respect to a surface of the electrode catalyst layer (10) bonded to the surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane (11) is 0°≤θ<45°, among the fibrous substances (15), is greater than 50% of the total number of the fibrous substances (15) contained.

The copolymer includes divalent units represented by formula —[CF.sub.2—CF.sub.2]—, at least one divalent unit represented by formula (I): and at least one divalent unit independently represented by formula (II): A is —N(RF.sup.a).sub.2 or a is non-aromatic, 5- to 8-membered, perfluorinated ring comprising one or two nitrogen atoms in the ring and optionally comprising at least one oxygen atom in the ring, each RFa is independently linear or branched perfluoroalkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms and optionally interrupted by at least one catenated O or N atom, each Y is independently —H or —F, with the proviso that one Y may be —CF.sub.3, h is 0, 1, or 2, each i is independently 2 to 8, and j is 0, 1, or 2. A catalyst ink and polymer electrolyte membrane including the copolymer are also provided.

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A method of manufacturing a membrane-catalyst assembly including an electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer bonded to the electrolyte membrane, the method including: a liquid application step of applying, in the atmosphere, a liquid to only a surface of the electrolyte membrane before bonding; and a thermocompression bonding step of bonding, to the catalyst layer, the electrolyte membrane to which the liquid is applied, by thermocompression bonding. Provided is a method of manufacturing a membrane-catalyst assembly including a polymer electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer bonded to the polymer electrolyte membrane, in which the manufacturing method can achieve both the relaxation of thermocompression bonding conditions and the improvement of adhesion between the catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane with high productivity.