The ability to accurately measure separate in situ anode and cathode overpotentials and impedance responses is still a source of debate when investigating fuel cells of planar configuration containing < 100 μm thickness solid electrolytes and when using the common three electrode arrangement. The results obtained in this study indicate that the overpotentials and impedances of the anode and cat...

Poly(hexafluoropropylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (FEP) was successfully radiationgrafted with vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC). Subsequently amination with trimethylamine followed by ion exchange with aqueous hydroxide yielded alkaline anion-exchange membranes (AAEMs). Experimental parameters were established for maximising the degree of grafting (d.o.g.); the optimum treatment duration for maximum a...

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines consisting of the alkyl monoesters of fatty acids from vegetable oils or animal fats. Most of the biodiesel that is currently made uses soybean oil, methanol, and an alkaline catalyst. The high value of soybean oil as a food product makes production of a cost–effective fuel very challenging. However, there are large amounts of low–cost oils an...

Highly nitrogen-doped carbon capsules (hN-CCs) have been successfully prepared by using inexpensive melamine and glyoxal as precursors via solvothermal reaction and carbonization. With a great promise for large scale production, the hN-CCs, having large surface area and high-level nitrogen content (N/C atomic ration of ca. 13%), possess superior crossover resistance, selective activity and cata...

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) find widespread applications as an electrolyte and/or electrode binder in fuel cells, electrodialysis stacks, flow and metal-air batteries, and electrolyzers. AEMs exhibit poor stability in alkaline media; their degradation is induced by the hydroxide ion, a potent nucleophile. We have used 2D NMR techniques to investigate polymer backbone stability (as opposed t...

Development of inexpensive and robust electrocatalysts towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for the cost-affordable manufacturing of metal-air batteries and fuel cells. Here we show that cross-linked CoMoO4 nanosheets and reduced graphene oxide (CoMoO4/rGO) can be integrated in a hybrid material under one-pot hydrothermal conditions, yielding a composite material with promising ca...

Biodiesel is an alternative diesel fuel consisting of the alkyl monoesters of fatty acids from vegetable oils or animal fats. Currently, most biodiesel is made from soybean oil, methanol, and an alkaline catalyst. However, there are large amounts of fats and oils that are unsuitable for human consumption that could be converted to biodiesel at lower cost. The problem with processing these waste...

Article history: Received 22 November 2011 Received in revised form 21 December 2011 Accepted 5 January 2012 Available online 12 January 2012

....................................................................................................................................................6 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................................................7 2. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................