Methods of making catalyst electrodes comprising sputtering at least Pt and Ir onto nanostructured whiskers to provide multiple alternating layers comprising, respectively in any order, at least Pt and Ir. In some exemplary embodiments, catalyst electrodes described, or made as described, herein are anode catalyst, and in other exemplary embodiments cathode catalyst. Catalysts electrodes are useful, for example, in generating H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 from water.

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.

The present invention relates to the application of high electrical conductivity electrodes in whatever type of the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen to substantially reduce power consumption. The high electrical conductivity electrodes are selected from copper electrodes or graphene electrodes and are coated with a catalyst. Type of electrolysis may be conventional diaphragm or membrane type, diaphragm-less or Unipolar electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen.

A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) for use in a water electrolyser, having a laminate structure comprising: a first layer comprising a first membrane component having a cathode catalyst layer disposed on a first face thereof; a second layer comprising a second membrane component having an anode catalyst layer disposed on a first face thereof; and an intermediate layer disposed between the first and second layers, comprising a third membrane component having a recombination catalyst layer disposed on a first face thereof is disclosed. The CCM is useful within a water electrolyser. The recombination catalyst layer reduces the risk associated with hydrogen crossover and allows thinner membranes with lower resistance to be used.

A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) for use in a water electrolyser, having a laminate structure comprising: a first layer comprising a first membrane component having a cathode catalyst layer disposed on a first face thereof; a second layer comprising a second membrane component having an anode catalyst layer disposed on a first face thereof; and an intermediate layer disposed between the first and second layers, comprising a third membrane component having a recombination catalyst layer disposed on a first face thereof is disclosed. The CCM is useful within a water electrolyser. The recombination catalyst layer reduces the risk associated with hydrogen crossover and allows thinner membranes with lower resistance to be used.

Disclosed are a catalyst for an electrochemical cell and a method of manufacturing the catalyst. The catalyst includes a support, a first catalyst supported on the support, wherein the first catalyst is a catalyst for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) or oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a second catalyst supported on the first catalyst, wherein the second catalyst is a catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and a protective layer formed on the first catalyst and the second catalyst.

Disclosed are a catalyst for an electrochemical cell and a method of manufacturing the catalyst. The catalyst includes a support, a first catalyst supported on the support, wherein the first catalyst is a catalyst for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) or oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a second catalyst supported on the first catalyst, wherein the second catalyst is a catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and a protective layer formed on the first catalyst and the second catalyst.

The present invention relates to an electrode assembly and an electrolyser using one or more of said assemblies, in particular the present invention provides an electrode assembly for the production of hydrogen comprising: i) an anode structure which comprises an anode located within an electrolysis compartment, ii) a cathode structure which comprises a cathode located within an electrolysis compartment containing a solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, characterised in that the cathode comprises: a) An electrically conductive metal substrate, and b) An electrocatalytic layer on the substrate and comprising a, at least one metal selected from platinum group metals, rhenium, nickel, cobalt and molybdenum and b. at least 50% by volume of an electrically conductive support material, wherein the electrically conductive support material is formed from particles having an average particle size of less than 5 microns (5 μm) and which are not metallic particles.

The application discloses an electrode having polarity capable of being reversed and use thereof. The electrode includes a substrate comprising a metal or an alloy thereof; an intermediate layer arranged on the substrate and comprising a platinum group metal and a platinum group metal oxide; and a catalytic layer arranged on the intermediate layer and comprising a mixed metal oxide. The electrode may be used as an electrode for electrolysis, electrodialysis or electroplating. The electrode can simultaneously meet the working environment requirements of the cathode and the anode, which improves the environmental tolerance and realizes the protection of the substrate; and can carry out polarity reversal to clean deposits on the surface of the electrode quickly and efficiently.

The application discloses an electrode having polarity capable of being reversed and use thereof. The electrode includes a substrate comprising a metal or an alloy thereof; an intermediate layer arranged on the substrate and comprising a platinum group metal and a platinum group metal oxide; and a catalytic layer arranged on the intermediate layer and comprising a mixed metal oxide. The electrode may be used as an electrode for electrolysis, electrodialysis or electroplating. The electrode can simultaneously meet the working environment requirements of the cathode and the anode, which improves the environmental tolerance and realizes the protection of the substrate; and can carry out polarity reversal to clean deposits on the surface of the electrode quickly and efficiently.