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.

The present disclosure relates to a method of operating an integrated photovoltaic-electrochemical (PV-EC) system, a method for an in situ and continuous removal of byproducts generated and absorbed on the surface of the PV-EC system and the PV-EC system which is able to regenerate its activity in a continuously operable manner

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.

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 and 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.

A gas phase reduction device for carbon dioxide is a gas phase reduction device for carbon dioxide that exerts a catalytic function by light irradiation to generate oxidation-reduction reaction. The gas phase reduction device includes an oxidation tank in which an aqueous solution is put, a reduction tank to which carbon dioxide is supplied, a semiconductor photoelectrode installed in the aqueous solution, and a porous electrode-supported electrolyte membrane that is a joint body of an electrolyte membrane and a porous reduction electrode, the porous electrode-supported electrolyte membrane being installed between the oxidation tank and the reduction tank with the electrolyte membrane facing the oxidation tank and the porous reduction electrode facing the reduction tank. Voltage between a reference electrode installed in the aqueous solution and a reference electrode installed in contact with the electrolyte membrane is measured by a voltmeter, and a control unit increases voltage between the semiconductor photoelectrode and the porous reduction electrode in accordance with change in voltage between the reference electrodes from an initial value at start of reaction. The control unit includes a solar cell and a constant voltage power supply, and the solar cell is arranged on an extension line of a straight line from a light source toward the semiconductor photoelectrode, and generates power utilizing light emitted to and transmitted through the semiconductor photoelectrode.

A gas phase reduction device for carbon dioxide is a gas phase reduction device for carbon dioxide that exerts a catalytic function by light irradiation to generate oxidation-reduction reaction. The gas phase reduction device includes an oxidation tank in which an aqueous solution is put, a reduction tank to which carbon dioxide is supplied, a semiconductor photoelectrode installed in the aqueous solution, and a porous electrode-supported electrolyte membrane that is a joint body of an electrolyte membrane and a porous reduction electrode, the porous electrode-supported electrolyte membrane being installed between the oxidation tank and the reduction tank with the electrolyte membrane facing the oxidation tank and the porous reduction electrode facing the reduction tank. Voltage between a reference electrode installed in the aqueous solution and a reference electrode installed in contact with the electrolyte membrane is measured by a voltmeter, and a control unit increases voltage between the semiconductor photoelectrode and the porous reduction electrode in accordance with change in voltage between the reference electrodes from an initial value at start of reaction. The control unit includes a solar cell and a constant voltage power supply, and the solar cell is arranged on an extension line of a straight line from a light source toward the semiconductor photoelectrode, and generates power utilizing light emitted to and transmitted through the semiconductor photoelectrode.

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.

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.