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...

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...

A carbon nanotube-gold nanohybrid was used as catalyst for the reduction of molecular oxygen in acidic and alkaline media, the relevant cathode reaction in fuel cells. In alkaline medium, the nanohybrid exhibits excellent activity with a dominant 4e(-) reduction of O2 and low overpotential requirement compared to previously reported nano-gold materials. This property is linked to its capability...

This ex situ electrochemical study investigates how the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on Bi-doped Ca2Ru2O7 pyrochlore catalysts is affected by the addition of carbonate to the aqueous KOH (1 mol dm ) electrolyte. The parent Ca2Ru2O7 catalyst has been previously reported to be selective towards the generation of CO3 2– on the reaction of O2 with CO2 (in the presence of H2O) at the cathode of l...

In present research work, anion exchange membranes based on quaternized polysulfone with ammonium cation moieties (QAPSF) were prepared by chloromethylation, amination and alkalization. The chloromethylated polysulfone were characterized by 1HNMR spectroscopy and functionalization degree was determined according to peak area integration. Ion transport properties (ionic conductivity, ion exchang...

Direct alkaline alcohol fuel cells (DAAFCs) have attracted increasing interest over the past decade because of their favourable reaction kinetics in alkaline media, higher energy densities achievable and the easy handling of the liquid fuels. In this review, principles and mechanisms of DAAFCs in alcohol oxidation and oxygen reduction are discussed. Despite the high energy densities available d...

To overcome alkali-resistant and synthetic hurdles to alkaline anion-exchange membranes (AAEMs) for alkaline fuel cells, the polyacylation of pre-quaternized monomers as a straightforward and versatile approach has been proposed for the first time. Via this approach, novel aromatic anion-exchange polyelectrolytes featuring a long pendent spacer (i.e., –O–(CH2)4–) instead of a conventional benzy...

In view of the stringent CO intolerance of the state-of-the-art proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, it is desirable to explore CO-free fuel processing alternatives. In recent years, step-wise reforming of hydrocarbons has been proposed for production of CO-free hydrogen for fuel cell applications. The decomposition of hydrocarbons (first step of the step-wise reforming process) has been ...