The presently disclosed subject matter relates to devices, systems, and methods for fabricating a solid polymer electrolyte electrode assembly are provided. One or more electrode for a solid polymer electrolyte electrode assembly includes a porous substrate configured as a liquid/gas diffusion layer and an ionomer-free catalyst coated on the substrate.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to devices, systems, and methods for fabricating a solid polymer electrolyte electrode assembly are provided. One or more electrode for a solid polymer electrolyte electrode assembly includes a porous substrate configured as a liquid/gas diffusion layer and an ionomer-free catalyst coated on the substrate.

An electrolysis electrode includes a conductive substrate, a catalyst layer and a tantalum oxide layer. The conductive substrate includes at least titanium. The catalyst layer is provided on the conductive substrate. The catalyst layer includes platinum and iridium oxide. The tantalum oxide layer is provided on the catalyst layer. In the electrolysis electrode, the catalyst layer is partially exposed.

An electrolysis electrode includes a conductive substrate, a catalyst layer and a tantalum oxide layer. The conductive substrate includes at least titanium. The catalyst layer is provided on the conductive substrate. The catalyst layer includes platinum and iridium oxide. The tantalum oxide layer is provided on the catalyst layer. In the electrolysis electrode, the catalyst layer is partially exposed.

One aspect of the invention provides a photoelectrochemical device including at least one electrochemical cell comprising an anode electrode and a cathode electrode; and a photovoltaic module integrated with the at least one electrochemical cell and adapted for converting energy of photons to electrical energy for driving the at least one electrochemical cell to facilitate redox reactions therein.

One aspect of the invention provides a photoelectrochemical device including at least one electrochemical cell comprising an anode electrode and a cathode electrode; and a photovoltaic module integrated with the at least one electrochemical cell and adapted for converting energy of photons to electrical energy for driving the at least one electrochemical cell to facilitate redox reactions therein.

This application relates to new process that utilizes electrodes that incorporate acids that facilitate upgrading of methane and other low molecular weight alkanes to higher order hydrocarbon molecules, such as paraffins, olefins, and aromatics, at temperatures less than 250° C. A primary focus of the invention includes methane conversion to ethylene. The first step of the process includes acid containing electrodes that facilitate the activation of the alkane in the anode layer of the electrochemical reactor. Subsequent steps include the separation of protons from produced longer chain hydrocarbons followed by subsequent electrochemical reduction of the protons to yield hydrogen at the cathode or protons combined with oxygen at the cathode to yield water. The reaction steps in the anode upgrade methane to higher order hydrocarbon products.

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.

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.