There is disclosed a process for synthesis of a C2-8 alkane comprising: (a) providing an electrolyte formulation comprising from about 3N to about 6N C2-C5 carboxylic acid and from about 2 M to about 4 M alkali C2-C5 carboxylate, wherein the C2-C5 carboxylate and carboxylic acid have the same carbon alkyl length into a pressure vessel having an electrode cell or stack; (b) adding electrical current to the electrode cell or stack; (c) pressurizing the pressure vessel; and (d) recovering a gas stream from the pressure vessel comprising a C2-8 alkane, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2. Preferably, the carboxylic acid is acetic acid and the alkane is ethane.

Systems and methods for increasing the concentration of a desired product in gas phase output streams of CO.sub.x electrolyzers are described.

Systems and methods for increasing the concentration of a desired product in gas phase output streams of CO.sub.x electrolyzers are described.

A water electrolysis catalyst containing a solid solution complex oxide of Ir and Ru, in which the solid solution complex oxide is represented by a chemical formula Ir.sub.xRu.sub.yO.sub.2 (where x and y satisfy x+y=1.0); and the solid solution complex oxide has one diffraction maximum peak in a range of 2θ=66.10° or more and 67.00° or less in powder X-ray diffraction (Cu Kα).

A water electrolysis catalyst containing a solid solution complex oxide of Ir and Ru, in which the solid solution complex oxide is represented by a chemical formula Ir.sub.xRu.sub.yO.sub.2 (where x and y satisfy x+y=1.0); and the solid solution complex oxide has one diffraction maximum peak in a range of 2θ=66.10° or more and 67.00° or less in powder X-ray diffraction (Cu Kα).

Disclosed is an exhaust gas purification system, including: a cathode unit including a first accommodation space, a first aqueous solution, and a cathode at least partially submerged in the first aqueous solution; an anode unit including a second accommodation space, a second aqueous solution which is basic, and a metal anode at least partially submerged in the second aqueous solution; and a connection unit configured to connect the cathode unit and the anode unit. The anode is made of aluminum (Al) or zinc (Zn), a gas containing nitrogen oxide (NO.sub.x) is injected into the first aqueous solution, the nitrogen oxide injected into the first aqueous solution reacts with water to produce nitric acid (HNO.sub.3), the nitric acid supplies hydrogen ions, and the hydrogen ions and electrons of the cathode react to produce hydrogen.

A method for forming an atomically smooth surface on a copper electrode through electropolishing and the atomically smooth surface are provided. An exemplary method for forming an atomically smooth surface by electropolishing includes placing a copper foil in an electrolyte solution including ethylene glycol and phosphoric acid. The copper foil is coupled to a current source. Current is applied to the copper foil to electropolish the copper foil. The electropolishing is stopped when the electropolishing is completed

A method for forming an atomically smooth surface on a copper electrode through electropolishing and the atomically smooth surface are provided. An exemplary method for forming an atomically smooth surface by electropolishing includes placing a copper foil in an electrolyte solution including ethylene glycol and phosphoric acid. The copper foil is coupled to a current source. Current is applied to the copper foil to electropolish the copper foil. The electropolishing is stopped when the electropolishing is completed

A method of making alkenes and/or epoxides from alkanes and hydroxy-alkanes, respectively. In a reactor having an anode and a cathode separated by an ion exchange membrane, and containing a solution comprising water, halogen ions, and an alkane and/or a hydroxy-alkane, apply a potential across the anode and the cathode such that a halogenated intermediate is produced at the anode as an anolyte and hydroxyl ions are produced at the cathode as a catholyte; and combining the anolyte and the catholyte to yield an alkene and/or an epoxide.

A method of making alkenes and/or epoxides from alkanes and hydroxy-alkanes, respectively. In a reactor having an anode and a cathode separated by an ion exchange membrane, and containing a solution comprising water, halogen ions, and an alkane and/or a hydroxy-alkane, apply a potential across the anode and the cathode such that a halogenated intermediate is produced at the anode as an anolyte and hydroxyl ions are produced at the cathode as a catholyte; and combining the anolyte and the catholyte to yield an alkene and/or an epoxide.