Membrane assemblies for electrochemical devices are provided, along with methods and system for fabricating them. Membrane assemblies comprise anode layer(s) and cathode layer(s), separated by membranous separation layer(s) and all embedded in continuous polymerized ionomer material. In production, during continuous deposition of ionomer material on a substrate (e.g., by electrospinning or electrospraying), consecutive deposition stages of catalyst material and optionally binder material are performed. For example, anode particles, binder material and cathode particles may be deposited (e.g., by electrospraying or electrospinning, respectively) consecutively during the continuous deposition o the ionomer material. Self-refueling power-generating system are provided, which include reversible anion exchange membrane devices with disclosed membrane assemblies.

Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are operated at elevated pressure to provide increased operating voltage and/or enhanced CO.sub.2 utilization with a cathode input stream having a low CO.sub.2 content. It has been discovered that increasing the operating pressure of a molten carbonate fuel cell when using a low CO.sub.2-content cathode input stream can provide unexpectedly large increases in operating voltage while also reducing or minimizing the amount of alternative ion transport and/or enhancing CO.sub.2 utilization.

Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are operated at elevated pressure to provide increased operating voltage and/or enhanced CO.sub.2 utilization with a cathode input stream having a low CO.sub.2 content. It has been discovered that increasing the operating pressure of a molten carbonate fuel cell when using a low CO.sub.2-content cathode input stream can provide unexpectedly large increases in operating voltage while also reducing or minimizing the amount of alternative ion transport and/or enhancing CO.sub.2 utilization.

An elevated target amount of electrolyte is used to initially fill a molten carbonate fuel cell that is operated under carbon capture conditions. The increased target electrolyte fill level can be achieved in part by adding additional electrolyte to the cathode collector prior to start of operation. The increased target electrolyte fill level can provide improved fuel cell performance and lifetime when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high current density with a low-CO.sub.2 content cathode input stream and/or when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high CO.sub.2 utilization.

The present invention provides ionic liquids (ILs) comprising a carbohydrate anionic moiety and a cationic counter-ion moiety (Q.sup.+) and methods for producing and using the same. In one particular embodiment, the carbohydrate anionic moiety portion of ILs of the present invention is of the formula: (I) wherein G is selected from the group consisting of a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, a trisaccharide, and a derivative thereof; and L is a moiety selected from the group consisting of: (IIA) (IIB) wherein each of R.sup.a, R.sup.b, and R.sup.c is independently hydrogen, C.sub.1-18 alkyl, or C.sub.2-20 mono- or di-unsaturated alkenyl; A.sup.TM is —CO.sub.2.sup.TM, —PO.sub.3H.sup.TM, or —SO.sub.3.sup.TM; and each of * marked carbon atom is independently a chiral center when said carbon atom has four different groups attached thereto.

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Disclosed here is a supported catalyst comprising a thermally stable core, wherein the thermally stable core comprises a metal oxide support and nickel disposed in the metal oxide support, wherein the metal oxide support comprises at least one base metal oxide and at least one transition metal oxide or rare earth metal oxide mixed with or dispersed in the base metal oxide. Optionally the supported catalyst can further comprise an electrolyte removing layer coating the thermally stable core and/or an electrolyte repelling layer coating the electrolyte removing layer, wherein the electrolyte removing layer comprises at least one metal oxide, and wherein the electrolyte repelling layer comprises at least one of graphite, metal carbide and metal nitride. Also disclosed is a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising the supported catalyst as a direct internal reforming catalyst.

An integrated system for carbon dioxide capture includes a steam methane reformer and a CO.sub.2 pump that comprises an anode and a cathode. The cathode is configured to output a first exhaust stream including oxygen and carbon dioxide and the anode is configured to receive a reformed gas from the steam methane reformer and to output a second exhaust stream that includes greater than 95% hydrogen.

An integrated system for carbon dioxide capture includes a steam methane reformer and a CO.sub.2 pump that comprises an anode and a cathode. The cathode is configured to output a first exhaust stream including oxygen and carbon dioxide and the anode is configured to receive a reformed gas from the steam methane reformer and to output a second exhaust stream that includes greater than 95% hydrogen.

Systems and methods are provided for using fuel cell staging to reduce or minimize variations in current density when operating molten carbonate fuel cells with elevated CO.sub.2 utilization. The fuel cell staging can mitigate the amount of alternative ion transport that occurs when operating molten carbonate fuel cells under conditions for elevated CO.sub.2 utilization.

A gas diffusion electrode comprising microporous layers on at least one side of an electrically conductive porous substrate, wherein said gas diffusion electrode has a thickness of 30 μm to 180 μm, said microporous layer has thickness of 10 μm to 100 μm, and when said surface of the microporous layer is observed for the area 0.25 mm.sup.2 for 4000 viewing areas, the number of the viewing areas having a maximal height Rz of not less than 50 μm is, among the 4000 viewing areas, 0 viewing areas to 5 viewing areas. A gas diffusion electrode which satisfies both the prevention of the damage to an electrolyte membrane by a gas diffusing layer and the gas diffusivity of the gas diffusing layer, and exhibits good performance as a fuel cell.