A method for producing a catalyst-coated membrane includes: producing and/or providing at least one first ink with a first ink composition, comprising supported catalyst particles, a proton-conductive ionomer, and a dispersing agent, the content of the supported catalyst particles in the composition remaining below the content of the proton-conductive ionomer; unwinding a web-shaped proton-conductive membrane material which is provided on a roll; applying at least one layer of the first ink onto at least one section of the membrane material using a first application tool; and sputtering a catalyst powder consisting of or comprising catalyst particles onto a surface of the outermost ink layer facing away from the membrane material using a sputtering device.

A method of manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer-formed gas diffusion 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 catalyst layer before bonding; and a thermocompression bonding step of bonding, to the electrolyte membrane, the catalyst layer-formed gas diffusion layer to which the liquid is applied, by thermocompression bonding. Provided is a method of manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly including a polymer electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer-formed gas diffusion 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-formed gas diffusion layer and the electrolyte membrane with high productivity.

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 CoVO.sub.x composite electrode and method of making is described. The composite electrode comprises a substrate with an average 0.5-5 μm thick layer of CoVO.sub.x having pores with average diameters of 2-200 nm. The method of making the composite electrode involves contacting the substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent, a cobalt complex, and a vanadium complex. The CoVO.sub.x composite electrode is capable of being used in an electrochemical cell for water oxidation.

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.

A CoVO.sub.x composite electrode and method of making is described. The composite electrode comprises a substrate with an average 0.5-5 μm thick layer of CoVO.sub.x having pores with average diameters of 2-200 nm. The method of making the composite electrode involves contacting the substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent, a cobalt complex, and a vanadium complex. The CoVO.sub.x composite electrode is capable of being used in an electrochemical cell for water oxidation.

The present invention provides a process for incorporating at least one nano-catalyst on the surface of and within a plurality of pores of an electrode. The process includes spraying or dripping a catechol based surfactant onto the surface of and within one or more pores of a solid oxide electrochemical cell having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode; spraying or dripping a nano-catalyst solution onto the surface of and within one or more pores of the solid oxide electrochemical cell that has been pretreated with the catechol based surfactant for forming a modified solid oxide electrochemical cell; and firing the modified solid oxide electrochemical cell above a calcination temperature of the nano-catalyst solution for forming a nano-catalyst on the surface and within at least one or more pores of the solid oxide electrochemical cell.

Systems and methods for manufacturing and use of a two layer coated electrode are provided. The two layer coated electrode may comprise a substrate, a first coating layer, and a second coating layer. The first coating layer may comprise a mixture of iridium oxide and tin oxide, and the second coating layer may comprise a mixture of iridium oxide and tantalum oxide. The electrode may be used in, for example, an electrolytic cell.

Tubular ceramic structures, e.g., anode components of tubular fuel cells, are manufactured by applying ceramic-forming composition to the external surface of the heat shrinkable polymeric tubular mandrel component of a rotating mandrel-spindle assembly, removing the spindle from the assembly after a predetermined thickness of tubular ceramic structure has been built up on the mandrel and thereafter heat shrinking the mandrel to cause the mandrel to separate from the tubular ceramic structure.