A method of a hydrocarbon product and ammonia comprises introducing C.sub.2H.sub.6 to a positive electrode of an electrochemical cell comprising the positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a proton-conducting membrane between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The proton-conducting membrane comprising an electrolyte material having an ionic conductivity greater than or equal to about 10.sup.−2 S/cm at one or more temperatures within a range of from about 150° C. to about 600° C. N.sub.2 is introduced to the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell. A potential difference is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell. A system for co-producing higher hydrocarbons and NH3, and an electrochemical cell are also described.

A method of a hydrocarbon product and ammonia comprises introducing C.sub.2H.sub.6 to a positive electrode of an electrochemical cell comprising the positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a proton-conducting membrane between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The proton-conducting membrane comprising an electrolyte material having an ionic conductivity greater than or equal to about 10.sup.−2 S/cm at one or more temperatures within a range of from about 150° C. to about 600° C. N.sub.2 is introduced to the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell. A potential difference is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell. A system for co-producing higher hydrocarbons and NH3, and an electrochemical cell are also described.

Apparatuses and methods for performing coupled chemical and electrochemical reactions are disclosed. An electrochemical cell has a first reaction chamber configured to perform a chemical reaction and an anode chamber configured to perform an electrochemical reaction. The first reaction chamber and the anode chamber are separated by a first membrane. The first membrane acts as a cathode of the cell, a hydrogen-selective layer and a catalyst. The first membrane may comprise a layer of palladium or a palladium alloy. An ion exchange membrane separates the first membrane and the anode chamber. The chemical and electrochemical reactions may respectively be hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions.

Apparatuses and methods for performing coupled chemical and electrochemical reactions are disclosed. An electrochemical cell has a first reaction chamber configured to perform a chemical reaction and an anode chamber configured to perform an electrochemical reaction. The first reaction chamber and the anode chamber are separated by a first membrane. The first membrane acts as a cathode of the cell, a hydrogen-selective layer and a catalyst. The first membrane may comprise a layer of palladium or a palladium alloy. An ion exchange membrane separates the first membrane and the anode chamber. The chemical and electrochemical reactions may respectively be hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions.

A start-up process for conditioning an electrolysis system containing ionically conductive membrane, such as a polyelectrolyte multilayer coated proton exchange membranes, to reduce the break-in period is described. The conditioning involves heating the electrolysis feed, the electrolysis system, or both at a temperature above the desired operating temperature to achieve faster startup. In some cases, the voltage is controlled to avoid damage to the sample.

A start-up process for conditioning an electrolysis system containing ionically conductive membrane, such as a polyelectrolyte multilayer coated proton exchange membranes, to reduce the break-in period is described. The conditioning involves heating the electrolysis feed, the electrolysis system, or both at a temperature above the desired operating temperature to achieve faster startup. In some cases, the voltage is controlled to avoid damage to the sample.

Title: Method for providing a substrate for an electrochemical cell with a catalytic material Abstract The invention relates to a method for providing a substrate for an electrochemical cell with a catalytic material. The method comprises atomic layer deposition (ALD) that comprises providing a catalyst precursor for the catalytic material. The ALD further comprises providing a carrier precursor for forming a carrier material. The invention further relates to a substrate provided with a catalytic material and a PEM electrolysis cell comprising a substrate provided with a catalytic material.

A water electrolysis cell includes a proton-conducting electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer laminated on one face of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode catalyst layer laminated on another face of the electrolyte membrane. At least one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer includes, in an in-plane direction of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, a portion with a high density of catalyst and a portion with a lower density of the catalyst than the portion with a high density.

A water electrolysis cell includes a proton-conducting electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer laminated on one face of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode catalyst layer laminated on another face of the electrolyte membrane. At least one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer includes, in an in-plane direction of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, a portion with a high density of catalyst and a portion with a lower density of the catalyst than the portion with a high density.

An electrolyzer system has a first half cell with a first electrode and a separator disposed adjacent a side of the first half cell. The separator is configured to separate the first half cell from an adjacent second half cell, and the first electrode is in contact with a face of the separator. The first electrode has a mesh, and portions of the mesh that are in contact with the separator are flattened.