The role of oxygen-permeable ionomer for polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

In recent years, considerable research and development efforts are devoted to improving the performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. However, the power density and catalytic activities of these energy conversion devices are still far from being satisfactory for large-scale operation. Here we report performance enhancement via incorporation, in the cathode catalyst layers, of a ring-structured backbone matrix into ionomers.

Anti-agglomerating effect in vertically aligned carbon nanotubes derived by antisolvent precipitation of naphthalene.

We developed a novel anti-agglomeration method that enables preservation of the vertical alignment of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during desiccation of wet CNTs by utilizing antisolvent precipitation and sublimation of naphthalene (Nap). Moreover, we succeeded in depositing Pt nanoparticles onto CNTs without collapse of the vertically aligned morphology by this method.

Self-assembled monolayer electrode of a diiron complex with a phenoxo-based dinucleating ligand: observation of molecular oxygen adsorptionldesorption in aqueous media.

The phenoxo-based dinucleating ligand, 2,6-bis[bis(6-pivalamido-2-pyridylmethyl)amino-methyl-4-aminophenol (1), and its Fe2(II) complex, [Fe2(II)(1)(PhCOO)2](CF3SO3) (2), were prepared and 2 deposited on the Au surface (2/Au) is much more stable than in solution and exhibits redox behavior in aqueous media as well as reversible adsorption/desorption of oxygen at room temperature.