The present invention relates to photocatalytic materials for use in the conversion of CO.sub.2 to non-CO.sub.2 carbon containing products. The photocatalytic materials comprise a metal nanofiber and a carbon-based nanostructure bound to the surface of the metal nanofiber. Methods for preparing such materials are described, as well as their use in the conversion of CO.sub.2 to non-CO.sub.2 carbon containing products. For example, the photocatalytic materials of the invention may be used to convert CO.sub.2 to methanol and/or ethanol with high conversion rates.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for achieving degradation of ethers.

According to some aspects, described herein is an automated droplet-based reactor that utilizes oscillatory motion of a droplet in a tubular reactor under inert atmosphere. In some cases, such a reactor may address current shortcomings of continuous multi-phase flow platforms.

A photovoltaic apparatus comprising: at least one photovoltaic surface electrically connected to a set of photovoltaic electrodes; and a chemical reactor electrically connected to the set of photovoltaic electrodes. The chemical reactor enables N pairwise fluid contacts among k chemical fluids, with k2 and N4 and comprises: a reaction layer extending in a plane subtended by two directions; N chemical cells, each including two circuit portions, designed for enabling circulation of two of the k chemical fluids, respectively, the two circuit portions intersecting each other, thereby enabling one pairwise fluid contact for the two of the k chemical fluids; and a fluid distribution circuit comprising: k sets of inlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to one of the two directions; and k sets of outlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to the inlet orifices, and wherein, each circuit portion connects an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice.

A chemical reactor and method for operation. The reactor enables N pairwise fluid contacts among k chemical fluids, with k2 and N4 and comprises: a reaction layer extending in a plane subtended by two directions; N chemical cells, each including two circuit portions, designed for enabling circulation of two of the k chemical fluids, respectively, the two circuit portions intersecting each other, thereby enabling one pairwise fluid contact for the two of the k chemical fluids; and a fluid distribution circuit comprising: k sets of inlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to one of the two directions, for respectively dispensing k chemical fluids to the reaction layer; and k sets of outlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to the inlet orifices, for respectively collecting k chemical fluids from the reaction layer, and wherein, each circuit portion connects an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice.

The present invention relates to a nanoporous thin film and a method for fabricating the same. The nanoporous thin film fabricating method for fabricating a nanoporous thin film with a composite photocatalyst structure for a photodegradation and a water purification includes providing a porous substrate with a plurality of through-nanopores therein, each of which through-nanopores have an inner tube wall; forming an oxide-based photocatalyst layer over the porous substrate and the inner tube wall by using a first chemical-based deposition process; and forming a metal-based photocatalyst layer on a part of the oxide-based photocatalyst layer by using a second chemical-based deposition process.

A method of photooxygenating furfural in a photooxygenating system, whereby a liquid mixture comprising furfural, a photosensitizer, and a reaction solvent is passed through a reaction section of the photooxygenating system, wherein the liquid mixture is exposed to solar radiation, while a portion of the furfural is oxidized in presence of the photosensitizer and a furanone compound is produced. Various embodiments of the photocatalytic water splitting reactor, and the water splitting system are also provided.

A solar reactor useful in reaction processes, more particularly, useful in endothermic reaction processes, such as a catalyzed process or an adsorption-desorption process. The reactor comprises a reaction pathway defined by an exterior wall and an interior wall, the exterior wall comprising a solar radiation receiver capable of converting solar radiation into heat and transmitting the heat to the reaction pathway. The reaction pathway has disposed therein, in alternating fashion, a plurality of reactive elements comprised of a catalyst or a sorbent and a plurality of heat transfer elements.

According to some aspects, described herein is an automated droplet-based reactor that utilizes oscillatory motion of a droplet in a tubular reactor under inert atmosphere. In some cases, such a reactor may address current shortcomings of continuous multi-phase flow platforms.

The present disclosure concerns a micro-flow system for synthesis of a compound, comprising a tubing reactor configured to flow a reactant within its lumen thereof, an actuator for regulating the flow of the reactant in the lumen and a heterogeneous catalyst in fluid communication with the lumen. The present disclosure also concerns a method of micro-flow synthesising a compound using the micro-flow system.