A novel electrochemical cell is disclosed in multiple embodiments. The instant invention relates to an electrochemical cell design. In one embodiment, the cell design can electrolyze water into pressurized hydrogen using low-cost materials. In another embodiment, the cell design can convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. In another embodiment, the cell design can electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then later convert the stored hydrogen and oxygen back into electricity and water. In some embodiments, the cell operates with a wide internal pressure differential.

Disclosed herein is a redox flow battery (RFB). The battery generally includes: a positive electrolyte that is a first metal ion, a negative electrolyte that is a second metal ion, an ion exchange membrane positioned between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte. The membrane is configured to restrict and/or prevent the passage of the first metal ion and/or the second metal ion therethrough, and is configured to maintain ionic conductivity between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte.

Disclosed herein is a redox flow battery (RFB). The battery generally includes: a positive electrolyte that is a first metal ion, a negative electrolyte that is a second metal ion, an ion exchange membrane positioned between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte. The membrane is configured to restrict and/or prevent the passage of the first metal ion and/or the second metal ion therethrough, and is configured to maintain ionic conductivity between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte.

Improved electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide is provided with a surface-oxidized carbon catalyst. The carbon can be, for example, carbon black or carbon nanotubes. The oxidation of the carbon can be performed, for example, by heating the carbon in nitric acid, or by heating the carbon in a base. The resulting carbon catalyst can have a distinctive oxygen is peak in its X-ray photoelectron spectrum.

In a case where an alkali aqueous solution is used as an electrolyte, provided are an oxygen catalyst excellent in catalytic activity and composition stability, an electrode having high activity and stability using this oxygen catalyst, and an electrochemical measurement method that can evaluate the catalytic activity of the oxygen catalyst alone. The oxygen catalyst is an oxide having peaks at positions of 2θ=30.07°±1.00°, 34.88°±1.00°, 50.20°±1.00°, and 59.65°±1.00° in an X-ray diffraction measurement using a CuKα ray, and having constituent elements of bismuth, ruthenium, sodium, and oxygen. An atom ratio O/Bi of oxygen to bismuth and an atom ratio O/Ru of oxygen to ruthenium are both more than 3.5.

The invention relates to membranes, monomers and polymers. The monomers can form polymers, which can be used for membranes. The membranes can be used in alkaline fuel cells, for water purification, for electrolysis, for flow batteries, and for anti-bacterial membranes and materials, as well as membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells. In addition to the membranes, polymers and monomers and methods of using the membranes, the present invention also relates to methods of making the membranes, monomers and polymers.

The invention relates to membranes, monomers and polymers. The monomers can form polymers, which can be used for membranes. The membranes can be used in alkaline fuel cells, for water purification, for electrolysis, for flow batteries, and for anti-bacterial membranes and materials, as well as membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells. In addition to the membranes, polymers and monomers and methods of using the membranes, the present invention also relates to methods of making the membranes, monomers and polymers.

There is provided an LDH separator including a porous substrate and a hydroxide ion-conductive layered compound that is a layered double hydroxide (LDH) and/or a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-like compound, filling up pores of the porous substrate. The proportion of the hydroxide ion-conductive layered compound in the LDH separator is 25 to 85% by weight.

There is provided an LDH separator including a porous substrate and a hydroxide ion-conductive layered compound that is a layered double hydroxide (LDH) and/or a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-like compound, filling up pores of the porous substrate. The proportion of the hydroxide ion-conductive layered compound in the LDH separator is 25 to 85% by weight.

A metal-air battery includes: an air electrode; a negative electrode; an ion exchange membrane that separates the air electrode and the negative electrode from each other; an air-electrode-side electrolytic solution that is disposed between the air electrode and the ion exchange membrane; and a negative-electrode-side electrolytic solution that is disposed between the negative electrode and the ion exchange membrane. The negative-electrode-side electrolytic solution contains a surfactant.