A process provides an unlimited source of ethanol, for primary use as a liquid disinfectant for application directly to human hands or to hand wipes, by combining a carbon nanospike catalyst with a copper catalyst, carbon dioxide, water and water vapor, and injection of photons and electromagnetic waves, in an electrochemical process initiated by a power source. The process also provides an unlimited source for hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Further, the application provides an improved process for making the carbon nanospike, through injection with photons and electromagnetic waves.

A process provides an unlimited source of ethanol, for primary use as a liquid disinfectant for application directly to human hands or to hand wipes, by combining a carbon nanospike catalyst with a copper catalyst, carbon dioxide, water and water vapor, and injection of photons and electromagnetic waves, in an electrochemical process initiated by a power source. The process also provides an unlimited source for hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Further, the application provides an improved process for making the carbon nanospike, through injection with photons and electromagnetic waves.

The present invention relates to a photo-electrochemical device for production of a gas, liquid or solid using concentrated electromagnetic irradiation. The device comprises a photovoltaic component configured to generate charge carriers from the concentrated electromagnetic irradiation; and an electrochemical component configured to carry out electrolysis of a reactant. The photovoltaic component contacts the electrochemical component at a solid interface to form an integrated photo-electrochemical device; and further includes at least one reactant channel or a plurality of reactant channels extending between the photovoltaic component and the electrochemical component to transfer heat and the reactant from the photovoltaic component to the electrochemical component. The integrated photo-electrochemical device and auxiliary devices (such as concentrator, flow controllers) build a system which can flexibly react to changes in operating condition and guarantee best performance.

An electrode of a chemical cell includes a substrate having a surface, an array of conductive projections supported by the substrate and extending outward from the surface of the substrate, each conductive projection of the array of conductive projections having a semiconductor composition for catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in the chemical cell, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed over the array of nanowires, each nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles having a metallic composition for the catalytic conversion of CO.sub.2 in the chemical cell. Each nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles has a size at least an order of magnitude smaller than a lateral dimension of each conductive projection of the array of conductive projections.

Photoelectrochemical cells for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and/or 2,5-diformylfuran are provided. Also provided are methods of using the cells to carry out the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and/or 2,5-diformylfuran.

Photoelectrochemical cells for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and/or 2,5-diformylfuran are provided. Also provided are methods of using the cells to carry out the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and/or 2,5-diformylfuran.

Electrochemical cells and photoelectrochemical cells for the reduction of furfurals are provided. Also provided are methods of using the cells to carry out the reduction reactions. Using the cells and methods, furfurals can be converted into furan alcohols or linear ketones.

An electrode of a chemical cell includes a substrate having a surface, an array of conductive projections supported by the substrate and extending outward from the surface of the substrate, each conductive projection of the array of conductive projections having a semiconductor composition for reduction of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in the chemical cell, and a catalyst arrangement disposed along each conductive projection of the array of conductive projections, the catalyst arrangement including a copper-based catalyst and an iron-based catalyst for the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in the chemical cell.

An electrode of a chemical cell includes a substrate having a surface, an array of conductive projections supported by the substrate and extending outward from the surface of the substrate, each conductive projection of the array of conductive projections having a semiconductor composition for reduction of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in the chemical cell, and a catalyst arrangement disposed along each conductive projection of the array of conductive projections, the catalyst arrangement including a copper-based catalyst and an iron-based catalyst for the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in the chemical cell.

A process provides an unlimited source of ethanol based, liquid disinfectant for application directly to human hands or to hand wipes, by combining a carbon nanospike catalyst with a copper catalyst, carbon dioxide, water and water vapor in an electrochemical process initiated by a power source. Further, an improved process provides for making the carbon nanospike, through injection with photons and electromagnetic waves.