Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward an electrocatalytic cell including a barrier, having at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side, comprising a material permeable to oxygen ions and impermeable to at least CO2, CO, H2, H2O and hydrocarbons, an electrical power supply in communication with the barrier, a catalyst adjacent the first side of the barrier, a supply of feedstock components in communication with the first side of the barrier, a supply of a carrier gas component in communication with the second side of the barrier; wherein the feedstock components contact the catalyst and react to form hydrocarbon-containing components and oxygen-containing components, and the electrical power supply biases the barrier to thereby conduct oxygen ions from the first side to the second side. Also presented are a device and methods for producing carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Cryptomelane-type manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieves (OMS-2) supported Fe and Co catalysts are utilized in a method for producing hydrocarbons by a Fischer-Tropsch mechanism. The hydrocarbon producing method includes providing a catalyst of a manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieve nanofibers with an active catalyst component of at least one of iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, vanadium, zinc, and mixtures thereof, and further containing an alkali metal. The formation of iron carbides and cobalt carbides by exposing the catalyst to conditions sufficient to form those carbides is also taught. After the catalyst has been appropriately treated, a carbon source and a hydrogen source are provided and contacted with the catalyst to thereby form a hydrocarbon containing product. The catalyst have high catalytic activity and selectivity (75%) for C2+ hydrocarbons in both CO hydrogenation and CO2 hydrogenation.

Abstract: Cryptomelane-type manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieves (OMS-2) supported Fe and Co catalysts are utilized in a method for producing hydrocarbons by a Fischer-Tropsch mechanism. The hydrocarbon producing method includes providing a catalyst of a manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieve nanofibers with an active catalyst component of at least one of iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, vanadium, zinc, and mixtures thereof, and further containing an alkali metal. The formation of iron carbides and cobalt carbides by exposing the catalyst to conditions sufficient to form those carbides is also taught. After the catalyst has been appropriately treated, a carbon source and a hydrogen source are provided and contacted with the catalyst to thereby form a hydrocarbon containing product. The catalyst have high catalytic activity and selectivity (75%) for C2+ hydrocarbons in both CO hydrogenation and CO2 hydrogenation.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward an electrocatalytic cell including a barrier, having at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side, comprising a material permeable to oxygen ions and impermeable to at least CO2, CO, H2, H2O and hydrocarbons, an electrical power supply in communication with the barrier, a catalyst adjacent the first side of the barrier, a supply of feedstock components in communication with the first side of the barrier, a supply of a carrier gas component in communication with the second side of the barrier; wherein the feedstock components contact the catalyst and react to form hydrocarbon-containing components and oxygen-containing components, and the electrical power supply biases the barrier to thereby conduct oxygen ions from the first side to the second side. Also presented are a device and methods for producing carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for activation of a low reactivity, non-polar chemical compound. In one example embodiment, the method comprises introducing the low reactivity chemical compound to a catalyst. At least one of (a) an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent and (b) a polar compound is provided to the catalyst and the chemical compound. An alternating current is applied to the catalyst to produce an activation reaction in the chemical compound. This activation reaction produces a useful product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for activation of a low reactivity, non-polar chemical compound. In one example embodiment, the method comprises introducing the low reactivity chemical compound to a catalyst. At least one of (a) an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent and (b) a polar compound is provided to the catalyst and the chemical compound. An alternating current is applied to the catalyst to produce an activation reaction in the chemical compound. This activation reaction produces a useful product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for activation of a low reactivity, non-polar chemical compound. In one example embodiment, the method comprises introducing the low reactivity chemical compound to a catalyst. At least one of (a) an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent and (b) a polar compound is provided to the catalyst and the chemical compound. An alternating current is applied to the catalyst to produce an activation reaction in the chemical compound. This activation reaction produces a useful product. The present invention also relates to a method for oxidizing aromatic compounds by electrocatalysis to oxidized products.