Electrochemical device using thin micro-porous metal sheets. The porous metal sheet may have a thickness less than 200 μm, provides three-dimensional networked pore structures of pore sizes in the range of 2.0 nm to 5.0 μm, and is electrically conductive. The micro-porous metal sheet is used for positively and/or negatively-charged electrodes by providing large specific contact surface area of reactants/electron. Nano-sized catalyst or features can be added inside pores of the porous metal sheet of pore sizes at sub- and micrometer scale to enhance the reaction activity and capacity. Micro-porous ceramic materials may be coated on the porous metal sheet at a thickness of less than 40 μm to enhance the functionality of the porous metal sheet and may function as a membrane separator. The electrochemical device may be used for decomposing molecules and for synthesis of molecules such as synthesis of ammonia from water and nitrogen molecules.

Method of manufacturing of a membrane with surface fiber structure, in particular for use in an electrolyzer or fuel cell, by inserting the polymer membrane into the vacuum chamber equipped with a magnetron sputtering system with a cerium oxide target in which an atmosphere of O.sub.2 and inert gas is formed and igniting the plasma which leads to simultaneous plasma etching of the membrane surface and deposition of cerium oxide onto the surface of etched membrane resulting in formation of fibers. The membrane is made of polymer and on at least one of its sides features porous surface made of fibers, the cross-sectional dimensions of which are lower than their length and which are integral and inseparable part of membrane body.

Method of manufacturing of a membrane with surface fiber structure, in particular for use in an electrolyzer or fuel cell, by inserting the polymer membrane into the vacuum chamber equipped with a magnetron sputtering system with a cerium oxide target in which an atmosphere of O.sub.2 and inert gas is formed and igniting the plasma which leads to simultaneous plasma etching of the membrane surface and deposition of cerium oxide onto the surface of etched membrane resulting in formation of fibers. The membrane is made of polymer and on at least one of its sides features porous surface made of fibers, the cross-sectional dimensions of which are lower than their length and which are integral and inseparable part of membrane body.

A cation-exchange membrane including: layer (I) containing repeating units (A) each represented by formula (1) and repeating units (S) each containing a sulfonic acid-type ion-exchange group, wherein the mass proportion of repeating units (A) based on the total mass proportion of repeating units (A) and repeating units (S) being 100% by mass is 53% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less; and layer (II) containing a fluorine-containing polymer containing a carboxylic acid-type ion-exchange group and disposed on layer (I), wherein the water content of layer (I) is 26% or more and 35% or less:

CF.sub.2—CF.sub.2  (1)

A cation-exchange membrane including: layer (I) containing repeating units (A) each represented by formula (1) and repeating units (S) each containing a sulfonic acid-type ion-exchange group, wherein the mass proportion of repeating units (A) based on the total mass proportion of repeating units (A) and repeating units (S) being 100% by mass is 53% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less; and layer (II) containing a fluorine-containing polymer containing a carboxylic acid-type ion-exchange group and disposed on layer (I), wherein the water content of layer (I) is 26% or more and 35% or less:

CF.sub.2—CF.sub.2  (1)

An anion exchange membrane is made by mixing 2 trifluoroMethyl Ketone [nominal] (1.12 g, 4.53 mmol), 1 BiPhenyl (0.70 g, 4.53 mmol), methylene chloride (3.0 mL). trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) (3.0 mL) to produce a pre-polymer. The pre-polymer is then functionalized to produce an anion exchange polymer. The pre-polymer may be functionalized with trimethylamamine in solution with water. The pre-polymer may be imbibed into a porous scaffold material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to produce a composite anion exchange membrane.

An anion exchange membrane is made by mixing 2 trifluoroMethyl Ketone [nominal] (1.12 g, 4.53 mmol), 1 BiPhenyl (0.70 g, 4.53 mmol), methylene chloride (3.0 mL). trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) (3.0 mL) to produce a pre-polymer. The pre-polymer is then functionalized to produce an anion exchange polymer. The pre-polymer may be functionalized with trimethylamamine in solution with water. The pre-polymer may be imbibed into a porous scaffold material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to produce a composite anion exchange membrane.

A device for hydrogen separation has a tank holding water. A membrane is attached to an open top of the tank. A portion of the membrane is immersed in the water of the tank and outer edges of the membrane are attached to the tank and above the water. A pair of electrodes is coupled to the outer edges of the membrane. A light source is positioned above the water, wherein the light excites the water on top of the membrane causing H.sub.2 to be released.

A device for hydrogen separation has a tank holding water. A membrane is attached to an open top of the tank. A portion of the membrane is immersed in the water of the tank and outer edges of the membrane are attached to the tank and above the water. A pair of electrodes is coupled to the outer edges of the membrane. A light source is positioned above the water, wherein the light excites the water on top of the membrane causing H.sub.2 to be released.

There is provided a fluorine gas production device in which, even when an electrolytic solution containing hydrogen fluoride is electrolyzed at a high current density, a recombination reaction in the electrolytic solution and a recombination reaction in gas phase parts of an anode chamber and a cathode chamber are less likely to occur and the electrolytic solution can be electrolyzed with high current efficiency to produce fluorine gas. The fluorine gas production device includes an electrolytic cell (1), a partition wall (7) extending downward in the vertical direction from the ceiling surface inside the electrolytic cell (1) to partition the electrolytic cell (1) into an anode chamber (12) and a cathode chamber (14), an anode (3), and a cathode (5). The lower end of the partition wall (7) is immersed in the electrolytic solution (10) and a length (H) in the vertical direction of a portion immersed in the electrolytic solution (10) of the partition wall (7) is 10% or more and 30% or less of the distance from the bottom surface inside the electrolytic cell (1) to the liquid level of the electrolytic solution (10). The cathode (5) is completely immersed in the electrolytic solution (10) and the upper end of the cathode (5) is arranged at a lower position in the vertical direction relative to the lower end of the partition wall (7). The anode 3 is partially exposed from the liquid level of the electrolytic solution (10).