An electrolyzer for splitting molecular water into molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen using electrical energy comprises an anodic half-cell with an anode and a cathodic half-cell with a cathode. The anodic half-cell and the cathodic half-cell are separated from each other by a separator. The anodic half-cell comprises an anodic electrolyte, which is in contact with the anode. The cathodic half-cell comprises a cathodic electrolyte, which is in contact with the cathode. The anodic half-cell comprises an anodic catalyst. The cathodic half-cell contains at least one cation complex for forming at least one mediator complex. The at least one cation complex is reducible to the mediator complex by taking up at least one electron at the cathode. The mediator complex is a catalytically active chemical complex for splitting the molecular water (H.sub.2O) into molecular hydrogen (H.sub.2) and hydroxide ions (OH.sup.−) while releasing at least one electron.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to nanoparticle/ordered-ligand interlayers. In one aspect, a structure comprises an assembly and a layer of ligands disposed on a surface of the assembly. The assembly comprises a plurality of metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles of the plurality of metal nanoparticles in the assembly are proximate one another. The layer of ligands is operable to detach from the surface of the assembly but to remain proximate the surface of the assembly when the assembly is disposed in an electrolyte and a negative bias is applied to the assembly. An interlayer forms between the assembly and the layer of ligands, with the interlayer comprising desolvated cations from the electrolyte.

The present disclosure relates to a method of making one or more PAA-coated silver nanoparticles, including: heating an aqueous solution including a silver source material such as silver nitrate, a reducing agent such as monoethanolamine, and a capping molecule such as PAA under conditions suitable for forming a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with an antisolvent to form one or more PAA-coated silver nanoparticles. In embodiments, the present disclosure includes a cathode catalyst, including: one or more substantially monodisperse PAA-coated silver nanoparticles, as well as cathodes and electrochemical cells including the PAA-coated silver nanoparticles.

The present disclosure relates to a method of making one or more PAA-coated silver nanoparticles, including: heating an aqueous solution including a silver source material such as silver nitrate, a reducing agent such as monoethanolamine, and a capping molecule such as PAA under conditions suitable for forming a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with an antisolvent to form one or more PAA-coated silver nanoparticles. In embodiments, the present disclosure includes a cathode catalyst, including: one or more substantially monodisperse PAA-coated silver nanoparticles, as well as cathodes and electrochemical cells including the PAA-coated silver nanoparticles.

A catalyst layer comprising: (i) a platinum-containing electrocatalyst; (ii) oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst; (iii) one or more carbonaceous materials selected from the group consisting of graphite, nanofibres, nanotubes, nanographene platelets and low surface area, heat-treated carbon blacks wherein the one or more carbonaceous materials do not support the platinum-containing electrocatalyst; and (iv) proton-conducting polymer and its use in an electrochemical device is disclosed.

A catalyst layer comprising: (i) a platinum-containing electrocatalyst; (ii) oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst; (iii) one or more carbonaceous materials selected from the group consisting of graphite, nanofibres, nanotubes, nanographene platelets and low surface area, heat-treated carbon blacks wherein the one or more carbonaceous materials do not support the platinum-containing electrocatalyst; and (iv) proton-conducting polymer and its use in an electrochemical device is disclosed.

This invention provides an electrochemical system for manufacturing methanol from methane in good yields and without admixtures of methanol oxidation products. A fuel cell for methane or methanol utilization is also provided.

This invention provides an electrochemical system for manufacturing methanol from methane in good yields and without admixtures of methanol oxidation products. A fuel cell for methane or methanol utilization is also provided.

The present invention provides an electrode for electrolysis in which a planarized metal substrate having a mesh structure such that the aspect ratio of an individual cross-section of a wire constituting the mesh structure is 120% or greater is used to increase the surface area of a coating layer, thereby increasing adhesion to a membrane and gas trap is reduced to reduce overvoltage.

The present invention provides an electrode for electrolysis in which a planarized metal substrate having a mesh structure such that the aspect ratio of an individual cross-section of a wire constituting the mesh structure is 120% or greater is used to increase the surface area of a coating layer, thereby increasing adhesion to a membrane and gas trap is reduced to reduce overvoltage.