The present invention relates to the electrolytic splitting of water using a carbon-supported manganese oxide (MnO.sub.x) composite. Specifically, the present electrolytic splitting of water is carried under neutral electrolyte conditions with a high electrolytic activity, while using an oxygen evolution reaction (OER)-electrode comprising the present carbon-supported MnO.sub.x composite. Next, the present invention relates to a process for producing such a carbon-supported MnO.sub.x composite as well as to a composite obtainable by the present process for producing the same and to an OER-electrode comprising the carbon-supported MnO.sub.x composite obtainable by the present process.

The present invention relates to a one-step process for preparation of “in-situ” or “ex-situ” self-organized and electrically conducting polymer nanocomposites using thermally initiated polymerization of a halogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer or its derivatives. This approach does not require additional polymerization initiators or catalysts, produce gaseous products that are naturally removed without affecting the polymer matrix, and do not leave by-product contaminants. It is demonstrated that self-polymerization of halogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer is not affected by the presence of a solid-state phase in the form of nanoparticles and results in formation of 3,4-polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) nanocomposites.

A vapor deposition metal mask substrate includes a nickel-containing metal sheet including a obverse surface and a reverse surface, which is opposite to the obverse surface. At least one of the obverse surface and the reverse surface is a target surface for placing a resist layer. The target surface has a surface roughness Sa of less than or equal to 0.019 μm. The target surface has a surface roughness Sz of less than or equal to 0.308 μm.

A vapor deposition metal mask substrate includes a nickel-containing metal sheet including a obverse surface and a reverse surface, which is opposite to the obverse surface. At least one of the obverse surface and the reverse surface is a target surface for placing a resist layer. The target surface has a surface roughness Sa of less than or equal to 0.019 μm. The target surface has a surface roughness Sz of less than or equal to 0.308 μm.

A method and an electrocatalytic electrode for electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide to methanol are provided. An exemplary electrocatalytic electrode includes copper (I) oxide crystals electrodeposited over an atomically smooth copper electrode.

The invention relates to vertical or inclined electrodes of an electrolyzer for electrolytically producing aluminum from aluminum oxide. An electrode contains an electrode base and a surface coating based on refractory ceramics. According to a first variant of the invention, the electrode base is made of a composite material containing between 5% and 90% by mass of refractory ceramics, and of at least one metal having a melting temperature exceeding 1000° C., which forms refractory intermetallic compounds upon interaction with aluminum, and/or containing at least one alloy of such a metal. According to a second variant of the invention, the electrode base is made of a metal alloy, for example structural steel or another alloy, and the surface of the electrode base has applied thereto an intermediary layer consisting of a composite material having the composition described above.

The invention relates to vertical or inclined electrodes of an electrolyzer for electrolytically producing aluminum from aluminum oxide. An electrode contains an electrode base and a surface coating based on refractory ceramics. According to a first variant of the invention, the electrode base is made of a composite material containing between 5% and 90% by mass of refractory ceramics, and of at least one metal having a melting temperature exceeding 1000° C., which forms refractory intermetallic compounds upon interaction with aluminum, and/or containing at least one alloy of such a metal. According to a second variant of the invention, the electrode base is made of a metal alloy, for example structural steel or another alloy, and the surface of the electrode base has applied thereto an intermediary layer consisting of a composite material having the composition described above.

A method for the preparation of an electrode suitable for electrocatalysis includes an electrocatalytically active material, in particular an anode for alkaline water hydrolysis. An electrode can be obtained by the method and used in electrocatalysis. The method includes providing a carrier suitable for an electrode that includes an electron conductive material, providing a precursor mixture suitable for combustion synthesis, transferring the precursor material to the electron conductive material, and heating the electrode precursor to produce self-ignition of the transferred precursor mixture.

An electrolyzer system has a first half cell with a first electrode and a separator disposed adjacent a side of the first half cell. The separator is configured to separate the first half cell from an adjacent second half cell, and the first electrode is in contact with a face of the separator. The first electrode has a mesh, and portions of the mesh that are in contact with the separator are flattened.

An electrolyzer system has a first half cell with a first electrode and a separator disposed adjacent a side of the first half cell. The separator is configured to separate the first half cell from an adjacent second half cell, and the first electrode is in contact with a face of the separator. The first electrode has a mesh, and portions of the mesh that are in contact with the separator are flattened.