A light-driven fuel cell includes a cathode, an anode, and a proton-permeable membrane between the anode and the cathode. The anode includes a photocatalyst for anaerobic methane oxidation reaction, and when the anode is supplied with methane and water and is irradiated with light, methanol, protons and electrons are generated by anaerobic methane oxidation reaction from the methane and the water supplied to the anode; the protons pass through the proton-permeable membrane and move to the cathode; and the electrons move to the cathode via an external circuit. The cathode includes a photocatalyst for aerobic methane oxidation reaction, and when the cathode is supplied with methane and oxygen and is irradiated with light, methanol and water are generated by aerobic methane oxidation reaction from the methane and the oxygen supplied to the cathode and the protons and the electrons moved from the anode.

The disclosure relates, inter alia, to a system comprising: (1) an electric power grid; (2) an electrolyzer generating a first stream of hydrogen in communications link with the electric power grid; (3) hydrogen production means for producing a second stream of hydrogen, said hydrogen production means being a non-electrolyzer in communications link with the electrolyzer; (4) a first conduit leading to a hydrogen user through which hydrogen flows to the hydrogen user; (5) a second conduit connecting the electrolyzer to the first conduit through which hydrogen from the electrolyzer flows to the first conduit at a first location; (6) a third conduit distinct from the second conduit connecting the non-electrolyzer to the first conduit through which hydrogen from the non-electrolyzer flows to the first conduit at a second location distinct from the first location; and (7) means for controlling and maintaining a continuous flow of hydrogen to the hydrogen user.

The disclosure relates, inter alia, to a system comprising: (1) an electric power grid; (2) an electrolyzer generating a first stream of hydrogen in communications link with the electric power grid; (3) hydrogen production means for producing a second stream of hydrogen, said hydrogen production means being a non-electrolyzer in communications link with the electrolyzer; (4) a first conduit leading to a hydrogen user through which hydrogen flows to the hydrogen user; (5) a second conduit connecting the electrolyzer to the first conduit through which hydrogen from the electrolyzer flows to the first conduit at a first location; (6) a third conduit distinct from the second conduit connecting the non-electrolyzer to the first conduit through which hydrogen from the non-electrolyzer flows to the first conduit at a second location distinct from the first location; and (7) means for controlling and maintaining a continuous flow of hydrogen to the hydrogen user.

Herein discussed is a method of producing carbon monoxide comprising: (a) providing an electrochemical reactor having an anode, a cathode, and a mixed-conducting membrane between the anode and the cathode; (b) introducing a first stream to the anode, wherein the first stream comprises a fuel; (c) introducing a second stream to the cathode, wherein the second stream comprises carbon dioxide, wherein carbon monoxide is generated from carbon dioxide electrochemically; wherein the reactor generates no electricity and receives no electricity. In an embodiment, the anode and the cathode are separated by the membrane and are both exposed to reducing environments during the entire time of operation.

The present invention provides a method for the generation of hydrogen, where the method comprises the step of reducing a mediator, such as a polyoxometallate, at a working electrode to yield a reduced mediator and generating oxygen at a counter electrode; and contacting the reduced mediator with a catalyst, such as a Pt, Rh, Pd, Mo or Ni containing catalyst, thereby to oxidise the reduced mediator to yield hydrogen.

Herein discussed is an electrochemical reactor comprising a first electrode, wherein the first electrode is liquid when the reactor is in operation; a second electrode having a metallic phase and a ceramic phase, wherein the metallic phase is electronically conductive and wherein the ceramic phase is ionically conductive; and a membrane, wherein the membrane is positioned between the first and second electrodes and is in contact with the first and second electrodes, wherein the membrane is mixed conducting. Also discussed herein is a method of producing hydrogen or carbon monoxide comprising: (a) providing an electrochemical reactor having an anode, a cathode, and a membrane between the anode and the cathode, wherein the anode is liquid when the reactor is in operation and wherein the membrane is mixed conducting; (b) introducing a feedstock to the anode; (c) introducing a stream to the cathode, wherein the stream comprises water or carbon dioxide.

A reactor and process capable of concurrently producing electric power and selectively oxidizing gaseous components in a feed stream, such as hydrocarbons to unsaturated products, which are useful intermediates in the production of liquid fuels. The reactor includes an oxidation membrane, a reduction membrane, an electron barrier, and a conductor. The oxidation membrane and reduction membrane include an MIEC oxide. The electron barrier, located between the oxidation membrane and the reduction membrane, is configured to allow transmission of oxygen anions from the reduction membrane to the oxidation membrane and resist transmission of electrons from the oxidation membrane to the reduction membrane. The conductor conducts electrons from the oxidation membrane to the reduction membrane.

A reactor and process capable of concurrently producing electric power and selectively oxidizing gaseous components in a feed stream, such as hydrocarbons to unsaturated products, which are useful intermediates in the production of liquid fuels. The reactor includes an oxidation membrane, a reduction membrane, an electron barrier, and a conductor. The oxidation membrane and reduction membrane include an MIEC oxide. The electron barrier, located between the oxidation membrane and the reduction membrane, is configured to allow transmission of oxygen anions from the reduction membrane to the oxidation membrane and resist transmission of electrons from the oxidation membrane to the reduction membrane. The conductor conducts electrons from the oxidation membrane to the reduction membrane.

The invention preferably relates to an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen with a layer system comprising at least one pair of catalytically active layers between which a polymer membrane is arranged, wherein the layer system comprises electrically conductive ceramic or metallic nanofibers. In particular, the layer system comprises a pair of catalytically active layers, as well as transport layers close to the anode and/or close to the cathode, wherein the pair of catalytically active layers comprises catalytically active nanoparticles, and wherein, in order to increase in-plane conductivity or connectivity of the catalytically active nanoparticles, an intermediate layer comprising ceramic or metallic nanofibers is present between one of the catalytically active layers and one of the transport layers, or metallic or ceramic nanofibers are present within one of the catalytically active layers in addition to the catalytically active nanoparticles. The nanofibers can themselves be catalytically active or catalytically inactive.

The invention preferably relates to an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen with a layer system comprising at least one pair of catalytically active layers between which a polymer membrane is arranged, wherein the layer system comprises electrically conductive ceramic or metallic nanofibers. In particular, the layer system comprises a pair of catalytically active layers, as well as transport layers close to the anode and/or close to the cathode, wherein the pair of catalytically active layers comprises catalytically active nanoparticles, and wherein, in order to increase in-plane conductivity or connectivity of the catalytically active nanoparticles, an intermediate layer comprising ceramic or metallic nanofibers is present between one of the catalytically active layers and one of the transport layers, or metallic or ceramic nanofibers are present within one of the catalytically active layers in addition to the catalytically active nanoparticles. The nanofibers can themselves be catalytically active or catalytically inactive.