The present invention relates to an electrode comprising a metal deposit of zinc and silver, a process for preparing such an electrode, an electrolysis device comprising such an electrode and a method for CO.sub.2 electroreduction to CO using such an electrode as a cathode.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of metal alloy nanoparticles which catalyse the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) or electrolyser cells. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for producing alloy nanoparticles from platinum group metals and other metals under reductive conditions. In particular the present invention relates to a process for producing alloy nanoparticles comprising the steps of mixing a salt of at least one metal, a material comprising a platinum group metal, a nitrogen-rich compound, and optionally a support material, to provide a precursor mixture, and heating said precursor mixture to a temperature of at least 400° C., in the presence of a gas comprising hydrogen (H.sub.2), to provide said alloy nanoparticles.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of metal alloy nanoparticles which catalyse the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) or electrolyser cells. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for producing alloy nanoparticles from platinum group metals and other metals under reductive conditions. In particular the present invention relates to a process for producing alloy nanoparticles comprising the steps of mixing a salt of at least one metal, a material comprising a platinum group metal, a nitrogen-rich compound, and optionally a support material, to provide a precursor mixture, and heating said precursor mixture to a temperature of at least 400° C., in the presence of a gas comprising hydrogen (H.sub.2), to provide said alloy nanoparticles.

The active element of an electrochemical apparatus for producing electrical power and/or hydrogen may be formed as a massive metal body or a mesh-type or perforated sheet-type support structure. The support structure may be made from at least one of magnesium, zinc, aluminum, manganese, iron, or titanium, or an alloy of at least one of these, and may include a coating of boron enhanced carbon/graphite/graphene or a boron enhanced material. The boron enhanced material may include at least two elements selected from carbon/graphite/graphene, nickel, tungsten, phosphorous, and copper.

A method for electrolysis of water and a method for preparing a catalyst for electrolysis of water are provided. The method for electrolysis of water includes using a high entropy alloy as a catalyst. Further, the method for preparing a catalyst for electrolysis of water includes the steps of placing a substrate in an aqueous electrolyte containing a high entropy alloy precursor and performing an electroplating process on the substrate to form a high entropy alloy catalyst on the substrate.

A method for electrolysis of water and a method for preparing a catalyst for electrolysis of water are provided. The method for electrolysis of water includes using a high entropy alloy as a catalyst. Further, the method for preparing a catalyst for electrolysis of water includes the steps of placing a substrate in an aqueous electrolyte containing a high entropy alloy precursor and performing an electroplating process on the substrate to form a high entropy alloy catalyst on the substrate.

Described herein are techniques for converting carbonate in a carbonate loaded solution into syngas or C2+ products within an electrolysis cell that includes a cathodic compartment, an anodic compartment and preferably a bipolar membrane separating the compartments. The carbonate ions are converted in situ by reaction with protons generated by the bipolar membrane to produce CO.sub.2 that is in turn electrocatalytically converted into the product. The electrolysis cell can be coupled to an air or flue gas capture system that produces the carbonate loaded solution, and the depleted solution released by the electrolysis cell can be recycled back into the capture system and the feed of the electrolysis cell. The cathode can include a porous substrate that is hydrophilic, and a catalyst metal deposited on the substrate can be Cu, Ag or an alloy depending on the target product.

Provided are graphitic carbon materials and methods of making graphitic carbon materials. Also provided are compositions of the graphitic carbon materials with nanoparticles disposed thereon and methods of making the compositions. Also disclosed are devices utilizing the graphitic carbon materials and/or the compositions. The graphitic carbon materials are porous and have a desirable graphitic content. The graphitic materials may be nitrogen- and/or metal-doped. The nanoparticles may be platinum or platinum/transition metal nanoparticles. The compositions may be used in oxygen reduction reaction applications.

Provided are graphitic carbon materials and methods of making graphitic carbon materials. Also provided are compositions of the graphitic carbon materials with nanoparticles disposed thereon and methods of making the compositions. Also disclosed are devices utilizing the graphitic carbon materials and/or the compositions. The graphitic carbon materials are porous and have a desirable graphitic content. The graphitic materials may be nitrogen- and/or metal-doped. The nanoparticles may be platinum or platinum/transition metal nanoparticles. The compositions may be used in oxygen reduction reaction applications.

Low-cost and earth abundant, Ni.sub.1−xMo.sub.x alloy nanocrystals, with sizes ranging from 18-43 nm and varying Mo composition (0.0-11.4%), were produced by a colloidal chemistry method for alkaline HER reactions. For a water splitting current density of ˜10 mA/cm.sup.2, these alloys demonstrate over-potentials of −62 to −177 mV, which are comparable to commercial Pt-based electrocatalysts (−68 to −129 mV). The cubic Ni.sub.0.934Mo.sub.0.066 alloy nanocrystals exhibit the highest activity as alkaline HER electrocatalysts, outperforming commercial Pt/C (20 wt %) catalyst.