A composite comprising a compound formed using a multistage magnesiothermic reduction reaction, wherein the compound comprises particles comprising silicon and oxygen. Applications of the composite in electrochemical cells are further described.

Provided is a carbon dioxide electrolysis-carbon deposition/carbon fuel cell-integrated apparatus which enable interconversion between electric energy and chemical energy (electrodeposited carbon) through the use of an integrated electrochemical reaction system with a molten salt.

The present invention provides ionic liquids (ILs) comprising a carbohydrate anionic moiety and a cationic counter-ion moiety (Q.sup.+) and methods for producing and using the same. In one particular embodiment, the carbohydrate anionic moiety portion of ILs of the present invention is of the formula: (I) wherein G is selected from the group consisting of a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, a trisaccharide, and a derivative thereof; and L is a moiety selected from the group consisting of: (IIA) (IIB) wherein each of R.sup.a, R.sup.b, and R.sup.c is independently hydrogen, C.sub.1-18 alkyl, or C.sub.2-20 mono- or di-unsaturated alkenyl; A.sup.TM is —CO.sub.2.sup.TM, —PO.sub.3H.sup.TM, or —SO.sub.3.sup.TM; and each of * marked carbon atom is independently a chiral center when said carbon atom has four different groups attached thereto.

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A electrochemical storage device, referred to herein as a radical-ion battery, is described. The radical-ion battery includes an electrolyte, first free radicals, and second free radicals, wherein the first free radicals and the second free radicals are different chemical species. The radical-ion battery also includes a separator that allows select ions to pass therethrough, but separates the electrolyte from the second free radicals.

Provided is a carbon dioxide electrolysis-carbon deposition/carbon fuel cell-integrated apparatus which enable interconversion between electric energy and chemical energy (electrodeposited carbon) through the use of an integrated electrochemical reaction system with a molten salt.

A electrochemical storage device, referred to herein as a radical-ion battery, is described. The radical-ion battery includes an electrolyte, first free radicals, and second free radicals, wherein the first free radicals and the second free radicals are different chemical species. The radical-ion battery also includes a separator that allows select ions to pass therethrough, but separates the electrolyte from the second free radicals.

An electrochemical cell includes a bifunctional air cathode, an anode, and a ceramic electrolyte separator disposed substantially between the bifunctional air cathode and the anode. The anode includes a solid metal and a liquid electrolyte phase. The liquid electrolyte phase includes at least one of an alkali oxide, boron oxide, a group V transition metal oxide, and a group VI transition metal oxide.

An electrochemical cell includes a bifunctional air cathode, an anode, and a ceramic electrolyte separator disposed substantially between the bifunctional air cathode and the anode. The anode includes a solid metal and a liquid electrolyte phase. The liquid electrolyte phase includes at least one of an alkali oxide, boron oxide, a group V transition metal oxide, and a group VI transition metal oxide.

A direct carbon fuel cell DCFC system (5), the system comprising an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell (10) comprising a cathode (30), a solid state first electrolyte (25) and an anode (20), wherein, the system further comprises an anode chamber containing a second electrolyte (125) and a fuel (120). The system, when using molten carbonate as second electrolyte, is preferably purged with CO2 via purge gas inlet (60).

A redox flow battery that is charged and discharged by supply of a positive electrode electrolyte and a negative electrode electrolyte to a battery cell including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a diaphragm interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the positive electrode electrolyte and the negative electrode electrolyte are molten salts, the positive electrode electrolyte contains a trivalent titanium ion and a tetravalent titanium ion, and the negative electrode electrolyte contains a divalent titanium ion and a trivalent titanium ion.