Electrochemical systems and methods for cleaving C—C bonds are disclosed. In performing the method, a reactant adsorption electrical potential, a C—C bond breaking electrical potential, and a desorption electrical potential are sequentially applied to an electrode pair contacting a composition initially containing a target chemical reactant, such as a polymer or alkane. As a result of performing the method, one or more desired chemical products, such as smaller alkane-containing molecules, are released from the electrode into the region between the electrode pairs. The method may be performed at ambient temperatures using renewable electricity.

A semiconductor photoelectrode that is to be located in an aqueous solution to cause a decomposition reaction of the aqueous solution upon being irradiated with light, the semiconductor photoelectrode including: a semiconductor layer that is formed on an insulative or conductive substrate and is provided with a plurality of protrusion structures that protrude in one direction that is opposite a direction in which the substrate is located; a catalyst layer that is continuously laminated on the surface of the semiconductor layer; and a wire that is electrically connected to the semiconductor layer.

A device for generating ozone from oxygen-containing gas by silent electric discharge. At least two high-voltage electrodes and at least one ground electrode are nested. A discharge gap is defined between each high-voltage electrode and adjacent ground electrode. A dielectric is arranged in each discharge gap. In one embodiment, at least two discharge gaps are traversed by the gas, and a different voltage is applied to each gap according to the individual gap width. In another embodiment, filler material is arranged in an interstice between the high-voltage electrode and the corresponding dielectric, and the same amount of power is applied to each discharge gap.

A device for generating ozone from oxygen-containing gas by silent electric discharge. At least two high-voltage electrodes and at least one ground electrode are nested. A discharge gap is defined between each high-voltage electrode and adjacent ground electrode. A dielectric is arranged in each discharge gap. In one embodiment, at least two discharge gaps are traversed by the gas, and a different voltage is applied to each gap according to the individual gap width. In another embodiment, filler material is arranged in an interstice between the high-voltage electrode and the corresponding dielectric, and the same amount of power is applied to each discharge gap.

A titanium substrate of the present invention includes a substrate main body formed of titanium or a titanium alloy, in which a Magneli phase titanium oxide film formed of a Magneli phase titanium oxide represented by a chemical formula Ti.sub.nO.sub.2n-1 (4≤n≤10) is formed on a surface of the substrate main body and a BET value of the substrate main body on which the Magneli phase titanium oxide film is formed is 0.1 m.sup.2/g or less.

The disclosure provides a novel electrocatalytic membrane reactor and use thereof in preparation of high-purity hydrogen. The electrocatalytic membrane reactor adopts an H-shaped electrolytic tank in which a cathode chamber is isolated from an anode chamber through a diaphragm, a membrane electrode is used as an anode, an auxiliary electrode is used as a cathode, a direct-current regulated power supply supplies a constant current, and the flow of a reaction solution is realized through a pump. In the disclosure, electrocatalysis is coupled with a membrane separation function, an oxygen evolution reaction is replaced with an organic electrochemical oxidation reaction in the anode chamber so as to reduce the overpotential of the oxygen evolution reaction, and a hydrogen evolving reaction is performed in the cathode chamber to prepare high-purity hydrogen.

Reactor/separator elements for performing the generation and/or separation of hydrogen gas with improved efficiency have a central core and a separation layer that, in combination, define at least one spiral gas flow channel extending from one end of the central core to the opposite end of the central core. In use, the reactor/separator element may be placed in a housing which constrains gas on the outside of the reactor/separator element into the spiral channel defined by the outside of the separation layer.

A bipolar plate for an electrolyzer, particularly a PEM electrolyzer, is formed with a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region. With a view to cost-effective production of the bipolar plate, the central region is made of metal sheet and the peripheral region is formed from a plastic frame. The plastic frame is made of at least one thermoplastic, particularly at least one high-temperature thermoplastic, and is injection-molded around the sheet metal.

A bipolar plate for an electrolyzer, particularly a PEM electrolyzer, is formed with a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region. With a view to cost-effective production of the bipolar plate, the central region is made of metal sheet and the peripheral region is formed from a plastic frame. The plastic frame is made of at least one thermoplastic, particularly at least one high-temperature thermoplastic, and is injection-molded around the sheet metal.

A method of ammonia synthesis is described that includes contacting a nitrogen gas-containing plasma with an aqueous solution, thereby forming ammonia from the nitrogen gas and water. The nitrogen gas-containing plasma is present in an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a container including an acidic liquid electrolyte. The electrochemical cell also includes a source of nitrogen gas, a metal electrode at least partially immersed in the electrolyte, a metal tube electrode spaced apart from a surface of the electrolyte by a predetermined spacing. The electrochemical cell is configured to provide a plasma spanning the predetermined space from the metal tube electrode to contact the surface of the electrolyte when power is applied to the metal tube electrode.