A process for preparing a catalytic material of an electrode for electrochemical reduction reactions, said material comprising an active phase based on at least one group VIB metal and an electrically conductive support, which process is carried out according to at least the following steps:

a) bringing water into contact with said electrically conductive support,
b) bringing said wet support into contact with at least one metallic acid hydrate comprising at least one group VIB metal, of which the melting point of said metallic acid hydrate is between 20° C. and 100° C., the weight ratio of said metallic acid to said electrically conductive support being between 0.1 and 4,
c) heating, with stirring, to a temperature between the melting point of said metallic acid hydrate and 100° C.,
d) carrying out a sulfurization step at a temperature of between 100° C. and 600° C.

The present invention provides a methanol generation device for generating methanol by reducing carbon dioxide, comprising: a container for storing an electrolyte solution containing carbon dioxide; a cathode electrode disposed in the container so as to be in contact with the electrolyte solution; an anode electrode disposed in the container so as to be in contact with the electrolyte solution; and an external power supply for applying a voltage so that a potential of the cathode electrode is negative with respect to a potential of the anode electrode. The cathode electrode has a region of Cu.sub.1-x-yNi.sub.xAu.sub.y (0<x, 0<y, and x+y<1). The anode electrode has a region of a metal or a metal compound.

An electrochemical method includes performing anodic halogenation of Cu foils, performing subsequent oxide-formation in a KHCO.sub.3 electrolyte, and performing an electroreduction in neutral KHCO.sub.3 to generate a copper catalyst.

An electrochemical method includes performing anodic halogenation of Cu foils, performing subsequent oxide-formation in a KHCO.sub.3 electrolyte, and performing an electroreduction in neutral KHCO.sub.3 to generate a copper catalyst.

Systems and methods for producing ammonia are described. In one embodiment, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen are dissolved in a solution. A glutamine synthetase inhibitor and autotrophic diazotroph bacteria are also placed in the solution.

Systems and methods for producing ammonia are described. In one embodiment, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen are dissolved in a solution. A glutamine synthetase inhibitor and autotrophic diazotroph bacteria are also placed in the solution.

This invention is directed to a method of oxygenating hydrocarbons with molecular oxygen, O.sub.2, as oxidant under electrochemical reducing conditions, using polyoxometalate compounds containing copper such as Q.sub.10[Cu.sub.4(H.sub.2O).sub.2(B-α-PW.sub.9O.sub.34).sub.2] or Q.sub.13{[Cu(H.sub.2O)].sub.3[(A-α-PW.sub.9O.sub.34).sub.2(NO.sub.3).sup.−]} or solvates thereof as catalysts, wherein Q are each independently selected from alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, transition metal cations, NH.sub.4.sup.+, H.sup.+ or any combination thereof.

This invention is directed to a method of oxygenating hydrocarbons with molecular oxygen, O.sub.2, as oxidant under electrochemical reducing conditions, using polyoxometalate compounds containing copper such as Q.sub.10[Cu.sub.4(H.sub.2O).sub.2(B-α-PW.sub.9O.sub.34).sub.2] or Q.sub.13{[Cu(H.sub.2O)].sub.3[(A-α-PW.sub.9O.sub.34).sub.2(NO.sub.3).sup.−]} or solvates thereof as catalysts, wherein Q are each independently selected from alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, transition metal cations, NH.sub.4.sup.+, H.sup.+ or any combination thereof.

Electrochemical cells for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural are provided. Also provided are methods of using the cells to carry out the oxidation reactions. The electrochemical cells and methods use catalytic copper-based anodes to carry out the electrochemical oxidation reactions.

Electrochemical cells for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural are provided. Also provided are methods of using the cells to carry out the oxidation reactions. The electrochemical cells and methods use catalytic copper-based anodes to carry out the electrochemical oxidation reactions.