The invention provides a catalytic electrode for converting molecules, the electrode comprising a predetermined number of single catalytic sites supported on a substrate. Also provided is a method for oxidizing water comprising contacting the water with size selected catalyst clusters. The invention also provides a method for reducing an oxidized moiety, the method comprising contacting the moiety with size selected catalyst clusters at a predetermined voltage potential.

A device for catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) 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, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed over the array of conductive projections, each nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles being configured for the catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2). Each nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles includes a Group VA element, the Group VA element being a metal or a metalloid.

A device for catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) 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, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed over the array of conductive projections, each nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles being configured for the catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2). Each nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles includes a Group VA element, the Group VA element being a metal or a metalloid.

Electrodes for use within an ozone generator and method for assembling and using the same.

A semiconductor photocatalyst includes first and second layers made of first and second materials, respectively. Band gaps of the first and second materials are equal to or smaller than 1.5 eV and 2.5 eV, respectively. A lower electric potential of a conduction band of the second material is disposed on a positive side from the first material. An upper electric potential of a valence band of the second material is disposed on a positive side from the first material and from an oxidation electric potential of water when the first and second layers are bonded to each other in the hetero junction manner. The lower electric potential of the conduction band of the first layer is disposed on a negative side from a reduction electric potential of hydrogen when the first and second layers are bonded to each other in the hetero junction manner.

The invention generally relates to electrodes for selective vapor-phase electrochemical reactions in aqueous environments, and more particularly to a structured electrode having an electrocatalyst layer covered by a porous, hydrophobic polymer layer for control of liquid-phase and gas-phase reactions in aqueous environments. The porous, hydrophobic polymer layer supports an evolved gas bubble or plastron layer over the electrocatalyst layer to ensure the interface is preferentially accessible to gas-phase or highly volatile reactants. A membrane-free electrolyzer or electrochemical system can be built using the hydrophobic structured electrodes, separating the gases as they are evolved and before they are mixed or dissolved in any significant quantity.

The present application discloses a photoelectrode and a preparation method therefor, and a Pt-based alloy catalyst and a preparation method therefor. The method for preparing the Pt-based nano-alloy catalyst includes: placing a photoelectrode in an electrolytic cell with at least one light-transmitting surface and including an electrolyte; using a light source to irradiate a surface of the photoelectrode from the light-transmitting surface of the electrolytic cell, where the photoelectrode includes an active metal layer, a passivation layer, a semiconductor light absorption layer, a rear conductive layer, and an insulating protective layer that are sequentially stacked along the light incident direction; based on an electrochemical workstation and light irradiation, using a Pt electrode and a reference electrode to match the photoelectrode to electrochemically treat the surface of the photoelectrode; and cleaning the electrochemically-treated photoelectrode to obtain the Pt-based nano-alloy catalyst and a photoelectrode modified by the Pt-based nano-alloy catalyst.

The present application discloses a photoelectrode and a preparation method therefor, and a Pt-based alloy catalyst and a preparation method therefor. The method for preparing the Pt-based nano-alloy catalyst includes: placing a photoelectrode in an electrolytic cell with at least one light-transmitting surface and including an electrolyte; using a light source to irradiate a surface of the photoelectrode from the light-transmitting surface of the electrolytic cell, where the photoelectrode includes an active metal layer, a passivation layer, a semiconductor light absorption layer, a rear conductive layer, and an insulating protective layer that are sequentially stacked along the light incident direction; based on an electrochemical workstation and light irradiation, using a Pt electrode and a reference electrode to match the photoelectrode to electrochemically treat the surface of the photoelectrode; and cleaning the electrochemically-treated photoelectrode to obtain the Pt-based nano-alloy catalyst and a photoelectrode modified by the Pt-based nano-alloy catalyst.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to photochemical diodes. In one aspect, a device include a photoanode, a photocathode, and a bipolar membrane between the photoanode and the photocathode. The photoanode comprises a first semiconductor, the first semiconductor being N-type doped, a first catalyst disposed over the first semiconductor, and the photoanode being disposed in an anolyte. The photocathode comprises a second semiconductor, the second semiconductor being P-type doped, a second catalyst disposed over the second semiconductor, and the photocathode being disposed in a catholyte. The photoanode and the photocathode are in electrical contact. A hydrogen reduction reaction or a carbon dioxide reduction reaction occurs at the photocathode and a chemical oxidation reaction occurs at the photoanode when the photocathode and the photoanode are illuminated with light.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to photochemical diodes. In one aspect, a device include a photoanode, a photocathode, and a bipolar membrane between the photoanode and the photocathode. The photoanode comprises a first semiconductor, the first semiconductor being N-type doped, a first catalyst disposed over the first semiconductor, and the photoanode being disposed in an anolyte. The photocathode comprises a second semiconductor, the second semiconductor being P-type doped, a second catalyst disposed over the second semiconductor, and the photocathode being disposed in a catholyte. The photoanode and the photocathode are in electrical contact. A hydrogen reduction reaction or a carbon dioxide reduction reaction occurs at the photocathode and a chemical oxidation reaction occurs at the photoanode when the photocathode and the photoanode are illuminated with light.