A method of making an M-N—C catalyst is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) contacting an N-doped carbon support with a basic solution that includes a metal salt, whereby the N-doped carbon support is metalated by the metal cation of the metal salt to form one or more chelated metal-nitrogen complexes (MN.sub.x species); and (b) subsequently contacting the metalated N-doped carbon support with an acid, whereby the one or more MN.sub.x species formed on the N-doped carbon support in step (a) remain intact while other species are removed. The resulting composition may be catalytically activated by heat treating the composition. The activated catalyst may be used to catalyze a wide range of chemical reactions.

A method of making an M-N—C catalyst is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) contacting an N-doped carbon support with a basic solution that includes a metal salt, whereby the N-doped carbon support is metalated by the metal cation of the metal salt to form one or more chelated metal-nitrogen complexes (MN.sub.x species); and (b) subsequently contacting the metalated N-doped carbon support with an acid, whereby the one or more MN.sub.x species formed on the N-doped carbon support in step (a) remain intact while other species are removed. The resulting composition may be catalytically activated by heat treating the composition. The activated catalyst may be used to catalyze a wide range of chemical reactions.

A method for generating hydrogen including contacting a catalyst with a proton source, the catalyst having a catalytic component with a first surface comprising a plurality of catalytic sites and a carbon component provided as a layer on the first surface, wherein the carbon component comprises a plurality of pores. Also provided are catalysts for catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction and methods of making the same.

A method for generating hydrogen including contacting a catalyst with a proton source, the catalyst having a catalytic component with a first surface comprising a plurality of catalytic sites and a carbon component provided as a layer on the first surface, wherein the carbon component comprises a plurality of pores. Also provided are catalysts for catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction and methods of making the same.

The present invention relates to an electrode comprising an electrically conductive substrate of which at least one portion of the surface is covered with a metal deposit of copper, the surface of said deposit being in an oxidised, sulphurised, selenised and/or tellurised form and the deposit having a specific surface area of more than 1 m.sup.2/g; a method for preparing such an electrode; and a method for oxygenising water with dioxygen involving such an electrode.

The present invention relates to an electrode comprising an electrically conductive substrate of which at least one portion of the surface is covered with a metal deposit of copper, the surface of said deposit being in an oxidised, sulphurised, selenised and/or tellurised form and the deposit having a specific surface area of more than 1 m.sup.2/g; a method for preparing such an electrode; and a method for oxygenising water with dioxygen involving such an electrode.

Systems and methods for electrochemical ammonia synthesis comprise electrolytes which have greater efficiency than water, thus leading to cost reductions; and/or cathode catalysts which have lower costs and higher efficiencies in comparison to the iron/nickel catalysts noted above. The electrolyte may be composed primarily of a combination of non-aqueous hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, with high nitrogen solubility and high conductivity. The cathode catalyst may be composed of either a manganese-doped oxide or carbonate material or a two-dimensional carbide or nitride material.

Systems and methods for electrochemical ammonia synthesis comprise electrolytes which have greater efficiency than water, thus leading to cost reductions; and/or cathode catalysts which have lower costs and higher efficiencies in comparison to the iron/nickel catalysts noted above. The electrolyte may be composed primarily of a combination of non-aqueous hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, with high nitrogen solubility and high conductivity. The cathode catalyst may be composed of either a manganese-doped oxide or carbonate material or a two-dimensional carbide or nitride material.

The present invention relates to the production of graphene from CO.sub.2 through electrolysis and exfoliation processes. One embodiment is a method for producing graphene comprising (i) performing electrolysis between an electrolysis anode and an electrolysis cathode in a molten carbonate electrolyte to generate carbon nanomaterial on the cathode, and (ii) electrochemically exfoliating the carbon nanomaterial from a second anode to produce graphene. The exfoliating step produces graphene in high yield than thicker, conventional graphite exfoliation reactions. CO.sub.2 can be the sole reactant used to produce the valuable product as graphene. This can incentivize utilization of CO.sub.2, and unlike alternative products made from CO.sub.2 such as carbon monoxide or other fuels such as methane, use of the graphene product does not release this greenhouse gas back into the atmosphere.

The present invention relates to the production of graphene from CO.sub.2 through electrolysis and exfoliation processes. One embodiment is a method for producing graphene comprising (i) performing electrolysis between an electrolysis anode and an electrolysis cathode in a molten carbonate electrolyte to generate carbon nanomaterial on the cathode, and (ii) electrochemically exfoliating the carbon nanomaterial from a second anode to produce graphene. The exfoliating step produces graphene in high yield than thicker, conventional graphite exfoliation reactions. CO.sub.2 can be the sole reactant used to produce the valuable product as graphene. This can incentivize utilization of CO.sub.2, and unlike alternative products made from CO.sub.2 such as carbon monoxide or other fuels such as methane, use of the graphene product does not release this greenhouse gas back into the atmosphere.