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- Ekström, Henrik, et al.
(author)
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Nanometer-thick films of titanium oxide acting as electrolyte in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell
- 2007
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In: Electrochimica Acta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0013-4686 .- 1873-3859. ; 52:12, s. 4239-4245
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 0–18 nm-thick titanium, zirconium and tantalum oxide films are thermally evaporated on Nafion 117 membranes, and used as thin spacer electrolyte layers between the Nafion and a 3 nm Pt catalyst film. Electrochemical characterisation of the films in terms of oxygen reduction activity, high frequency impedance and cyclic voltammetry in nitrogen is performed in a fuel cell at 80 ◦C and full humidification. Titanium oxide films with thicknesses up to 18 nm are shown to conduct protons, whereas zirconium oxide and tantalum oxide block proton transport already at a thickness of 1.5 nm. The performance for oxygen reduction is higher for a bi-layered film of 3 nm platinum on 1.5 or 18 nm titanium oxide, than for a pure 3 nm platinum film with no spacer layer. The improvement in oxygen reduction performance is ascribed to a higher active surface area of platinum, i.e. no beneficial effect of combining platinum with zirconium, tantalum or titanium oxides on the intrinsic oxygen reduction activityis seen. The results suggest that TiO2 may be used as electrolyte in fuel cell electrodes, and that low-temperature proton exchange fuel cells could be possible using TiO2 as electrolyte.
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3. |
- Wilde-Larsson, Bodil, 1951-, et al.
(author)
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International comparisons of patients' views on quality of care
- 2005
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In: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 0952-6862 .- 1758-6542. ; 18:1, s. 62-73
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose – To compare patients’ views on quality of care in different countries using a theory-based instrument, while at the same time controlling for the following potential confounders: type of care system (private vs public), type of care (kind of health problem), gender, age, and subjective wellbeing.Design/methodology/approach – Patients capable of communicating in wards (medical and surgical departments) and day surgery departments in England, France, Norway, and Sweden were recruited consecutively, to participate in a programme run by the health-care company Capio. Ward patients: England (n =1,236), France (n =1,051), Norway (n =226), and Sweden (n =428). Day surgery patients: England (n =887), France (n =544), Norway (n =101), and Sweden (n =742). Average response rate across settings: approximately 75 per cent. Patients evaluated the quality of the care they actually received and the subjective importance they ascribed to different aspects of care. The questionnaire “Quality from the patient's perspective” (QPP) was used (modified short version).Findings – Cross-national comparisons were made within each of the two care contexts (wards and day surgery) separately for men and women. Quality of care evaluations were adjusted for age and subjective wellbeing. English and French patients scored significantly higher than Norwegian and Swedish on both kinds of ratings (perceived reality and subjective importance), in both kinds of care contexts, and in both sexes.Originality/value – Cross-national comparisons of patients’ views on care can give meaningful guidance for practitioners only if they are context-specific and if well-known confounders are controlled for.
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