A method for preparing a COF-protected electrode and an electrode are provided. The method includes mixing an organic framework, a small molecular organic acid and a solvent, adding a polar aqueous solution containing a substrate thereto, mixing the above uniformly and heating the system at a low temperature under an inert atmosphere, filtering the solution to obtain precipitates, washing and drying the precipitates to obtain a COF film grown on a surface of the substrate; coating a protective layer on the COF film to obtain a substrate/COF/protective layer film; etching off the substrate to obtain a COF/protective layer film; and transferring the COF/protective layer film to a surface of the electrode, and removing the protective layer.

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.

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 method for preparing a COF-protected electrode and an electrode are provided. The method includes mixing an organic framework, a small molecular organic acid and a solvent, adding a polar aqueous solution containing a substrate thereto, mixing the above uniformly and heating the system at a low temperature under an inert atmosphere, filtering the solution to obtain precipitates, washing and drying the precipitates to obtain a COF film grown on a surface of the substrate; coating a protective layer on the COF film to obtain a substrate/COF/protective layer film; etching off the substrate to obtain a COF/protective layer film; and transferring the COF/protective layer film to a surface of the electrode, and removing the protective layer.

A method for preparing a COF-protected electrode and an electrode are provided. The method includes mixing an organic framework, a small molecular organic acid and a solvent, adding a polar aqueous solution containing a substrate thereto, mixing the above uniformly and heating the system at a low temperature under an inert atmosphere, filtering the solution to obtain precipitates, washing and drying the precipitates to obtain a COF film grown on a surface of the substrate; coating a protective layer on the COF film to obtain a substrate/COF/protective layer film; etching off the substrate to obtain a COF/protective layer film; and transferring the COF/protective layer film to a surface of the electrode, and removing the protective layer.

An electrochemical cell comprises an anode, an anode electrolyte solution in contact with the anode, wherein the anode electrolyte solution has a first pH, a cathode comprising an ionomer, a cathode electrolyte solution in contact with the cathode wherein the cathode electrolyte solution has a second pH, and a separator positioned between the anode and the cathode, wherein the electrochemical cell is configured to maintain a pH differential between the first pH and the second pH.

Catalyst ink formulas for the preparation of CCMs are described. The catalyst ink formulas comprise a catalyst, an ionomer, a solvent, and a porogen soluble in the solvent. The catalyst ink formula may also comprise an additive, such as an electron conductive polymer. The anode catalyst coating layer or both the anode and the cathode catalyst coating layers prepared from the catalyst ink formula comprises uniformly distributed nanopores that allow easy gas removal and uniform water feed distribution, which will avoid or reduce the direct energy losses for the electrolyzers. Catalyst coated membranes and methods of making a catalyst coated membranes are also described.

Catalyst ink formulas for the preparation of CCMs are described. The catalyst ink formulas comprise a catalyst, an ionomer, a solvent, and a porogen soluble in the solvent. The catalyst ink formula may also comprise an additive, such as an electron conductive polymer. The anode catalyst coating layer or both the anode and the cathode catalyst coating layers prepared from the catalyst ink formula comprises uniformly distributed nanopores that allow easy gas removal and uniform water feed distribution, which will avoid or reduce the direct energy losses for the electrolyzers. Catalyst coated membranes and methods of making a catalyst coated membranes are also described.

A method for making a metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material comprises titrating a precursor solution with a (bi)carbonate salt, the precursor solution comprising a first metal salt and a solvent wherein the titration induces reactions between the (bi)carbonate salt and the first metal salt to provide first metal carbonate species in the titrated precursor solution; and exposing the titrated precursor solution to microwave radiation to decompose the first metal carbonate species to form the metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material and carbon dioxide. Mixed metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic materials such as nickel-iron oxyhydroxide may be formed. Also provided are the materials themselves, electrocatalytic systems comprising the materials, and methods of using the materials and systems.

The process comprises electrolyzing the first electrolyte having 1 molar solution of lithium perchlorate and 0.01 molar solution of racemic mixture of amino acid in an electrochemical cell containing a working electrode having polycrystalline metal surface configured to adsorb L-enantiomer of amino acid using a saw-tooth current. Further, the polarity of the saw-tooth current is reversed to de-adsorb the L-enantiomer of amino acid from the working electrode into the second electrolyte re-filled in the cell. The process of the present disclosure to separate enantiomer of amino acid from a racemic mixture is simple and economical.