Abstract: Processes for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 are provided. In an embodiment, such a process comprises passing a current through a CO2 expanded liquid medium under a pressure greater than 0.2 MPa and less than 7.4 MPa in the presence of a catalyst to reduce and convert CO2 to one or more products, wherein the CO2 expanded liquid medium comprises dissolved CO2, a liquid solvent, and a dissolved electrolyte, and wherein the liquid solvent and the dissolved electrolyte are selected to provide a concentration of the dissolved CO2 of at least 2 M at the pressure.

Abstract: A method for making a metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material comprises titrating a precursor solution with a (bi)carbonate salt, the precursor solution comprising a first metal salt and a solvent, wherein the titration induces reactions between the (bi)carbonate salt and the first metal salt to provide first metal carbonate species in the titrated precursor solution; and exposing the titrated precursor solution to microwave radiation to decompose the first metal carbonate species to form the metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material and carbon dioxide. Mixed metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic materials such as nickel-iron oxyhydroxide may be formed. Also provided are the materials themselves, electrocatalytic systems comprising the materials, and methods of using the materials and systems.

Abstract: Electrodes are provided comprising a FeS2 electrocatalytic material, the FeS2 electrocatalytic material comprising FeS2 nanostructures in the form of FeS2 wires, FeS2 discs, or both, wherein the FeS2 wires and the FeS2 discs are hyperthin having a thickness in the range of from about the thickness of a monolayer of FeS2 molecules to about 20 nm. The FeS2 nanostructures may be polycrystalline comprising a non-pyrite majority crystalline phase. The FeS2 nanostructures may be in the form of FeS2 discs wherein substantially all the FeS2 discs have at least partially curved edges.

Abstract: A method for making a metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material comprises titrating a precursor solution with a (bi)carbonate salt, the precursor solution comprising a first metal salt and a solvent wherein the titration induces reactions between the (bi)carbonate salt and the first metal salt to provide first metal carbonate species in the titrated precursor solution; and exposing the titrated precursor solution to microwave radiation to decompose the first metal carbonate species to form the metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material and carbon dioxide. Mixed metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic materials such as nickel-iron oxyhydroxide may be formed. Also provided are the materials themselves, electrocatalytic systems comprising the materials, and methods of using the materials and systems.

Abstract: A method for making a metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material comprises titrating a precursor solution with a (bi)carbonate salt, the precursor solution comprising a first metal salt and a solvent, wherein the titration induces reactions between the (bi)carbonate salt and the first metal salt to provide first metal carbonate species in the titrated precursor solution; and exposing the titrated precursor solution to microwave radiation to decompose the first metal carbonate species to form the metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material and carbon dioxide. Mixed metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic materials such as nickel-iron oxyhydroxide may be formed. Also provided are the materials themselves, electrocatalytic systems comprising the materials, and methods of using the materials and systems.

Abstract: Electrodes are provided comprising a FeS2 electrocatalytic material, the FeS2 electrocatalytic material comprising FeS2 nanostructures in the form of FeS2 wires, FeS2 discs, or both, wherein the FeS2 wires and the FeS2 discs are hyperthin having a thickness in the range of from about the thickness of a monolayer of FeS2 molecules to about 20 nm. The FeS2 nanostructures may be polycrystalline comprising a non-pyrite majority crystalline phase. The FeS2 nanostructures may be in the form of FeS2 discs wherein substantially all the FeS2 discs have at least partially curved edges.

Abstract: A method for making a metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material comprises titrating a precursor solution with a (bi)carbonate salt, the precursor solution comprising a first metal salt and a solvent, wherein the titration induces reactions between the (bi)carbonate salt and the first metal salt to provide first metal carbonate species in the titrated precursor solution; and exposing the titrated precursor solution to microwave radiation to decompose the first metal carbonate species to form the metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material and carbon dioxide. Mixed metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic materials such as nickel-iron oxyhydroxide may be formed. Also provided are the materials themselves, electrocatalytic systems comprising the materials, and methods of using the materials and systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyzer including an electrode including a nanoporous oxide-coated conducting material. Also disclosed is a method of producing a gas through electrolysis by contacting an aqueous solution with an electrode connected to an electrical power source, wherein the electrode includes a nanoporous oxide-coated conducting material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyzer including an electrode including a nanoporous oxide-coated conducting material. Also disclosed is a method of producing a gas through electrolysis by contacting an aqueous solution with an electrode connected to an electrical power source, wherein the electrode includes a nanoporous oxide-coated conducting material.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrically conductive material between the anode and the cathode coated with a nanoporous oxide coating. Gaps or spaces are filled with an electrolyte. The electrochemical device may be used to power an electronic card.

Abstract: A nanoporous insulating oxide deionization device, method of manufacture and method of use thereof for deionizing a water supply (such as a hard water supply), for desalinating a salt water supply, and for treating a bacteria-containing water supply. The device contains two composite electrodes each constructed from a conductive backing electrode and a composite oxide layer being an insulating oxide or a non-insulating oxide and an intermediate porous layer. The composite layer being substantially free of mixed oxidation states and nanoporous and having a median pore diameter of 0.5-500 nanometers and average surface area of 300-600 m2/g. The composite layer made from a stable sol-gel suspension containing particles of the insulating oxide, the median primary particle diameter being 1-50 nanometers.

Abstract: A nanoporous insulating oxide composite electrode and ultracapacitor device, method of manufacture and method of use thereof. The composite electrode being constructed from a conductive backing electrode and an composite layer. Preferably, the ultracapacitor device is configured in a stacked, coiled or button cell configurations and includes composite electrodes. The composite layer being substantially free of mixed oxidation states and nanoporous and having a median pore diameter of 0.5-500 nanometers and average surface area of 300-600 m2/g. The composite layer made from a stable sol-gel suspension containing particles of the insulating oxide, the median primary particle diameter being 1-50 nanometers. Preferably, the insulating oxide is Al2O3, MgAl2O4, SiO2 or TiO2. Preferably, the backing electrode is carbon paper sputter-coated with a film of Au.

Abstract: A nanoporous insulating oxide composite electrode and ultracapacitor device, method of manufacture and method of use thereof. The composite electrode being constructed from a conductive backing electrode and an composite layer. Preferably, the ultracapacitor device is configured in a stacked, coiled or button cell configurations and includes composite electrodes. The composite layer being substantially free of mixed oxidation states and nanoporous and having a median pore diameter of 0.5-500 nanometers and average surface area of 300-600 m2/g. The composite layer made from a stable sol-gel suspension containing particles of the insulating oxide, the median primary particle diameter being 1-50 nanometers. Preferably, the insulating oxide is Al2O3, MgAl2O4, SiO2 or TiO2. Preferably, the backing electrode is carbon paper sputter-coated with a film of Au.

Abstract: A nanoporous insulating oxide deionization device, method of manufacture and method of use thereof for deionizing a water supply (such as a hard water supply), for desalinating a salt water supply, and for treating a bacteria-containing water supply. The device contains two composite electrodes each constructed from a conductive backing electrode and a composite oxide layer being an insulating oxide or a non-insulating oxide and an intermediate porous layer. The composite layer being substantially free of mixed oxidation states and nanoporous and having a median pore diameter of 0.5-500 nanometers and average surface area of 300-600 m2/g. The composite layer made from a stable sol-gel suspension containing particles of the insulating oxide, the median primary particle diameter being 1-50 nanometers.