Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nanocomposites of CuO/Cu2O and continuous flow solar reactors. The nanocomposites can be utilized as a photocatalyst and can be incorporated into photoelectrochemical devices. The described devices, systems, and methods can be used for converting CO2 into one or more alcohols and other small organics with the use of solar energy and electricity. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: An electrochemical reactor for use with a liquid electrolyte is capable of generating gaseous products. An electrically conducting porous layer that is hydrophilic on the catalyst side and hydrophobic on the gas side are utilized. These different surface properties promote the transport of product gases formed at the catalyst through the porous layer to the gas side. The catalyst is formed from a hybrid Cu2O—CuBr film that has a high selectivity for ethylene gas from reacting CO2 and water in an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: In one aspect, solar energy systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a comprises an electrochemical cell comprising a photoelectrode, a counter electrode, and an ion transport membrane disposed between the photoelectrode and counter electrode. The cell further comprises a first electrolyte solution disposed in fluid communication with the photoelectrode and the membrane, and a second electrolyte solution disposed in fluid communication with the membrane and the counter electrode. The first and/or second electrolyte solution comprises a solvated redox pair. Additionally, the cell also comprises a storage electrode, a first external electrical connection between the photoelectrode and the counter electrode, and a second external electrical connection between the counter electrode and the storage electrode. Components of the system define a liquid junction photovoltaic cell under light conditions and a galvanic cell under dark conditions.

Abstract: An electrochemical reactor for use with a liquid electrolyte is capable of generating gaseous products. An electrically conducting porous layer that is hydrophilic on the catalyst side and hydrophobic on the gas side are utilized. These different surface properties promote the transport of product gases formed at the catalyst through the porous layer to the gas side. The catalyst is formed from a hybrid Cu2O—CuBr film that has a high selectivity for ethylene gas from reacting CO2 and water in an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nanocomposites of CuO/Cu2O and continuous flow solar reactors. The nanocomposites can be utilized as a photocatalyst and can be incorporated into photoelectrochemical devices. The described devices, systems, and methods can be used for converting CO2 into one or more alcohols and other small organics with the use of solar energy and electricity. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: The nanocomposites that include CuO/Cu2O are described. The nanocomposites can utilized as a photocatalyst and can be incorporated into photoelectrochemical devices. The described devices, systems, and methods can be used for converting CO2 into one or more alcohols with the use of solar energy and electricity.

Abstract: In one aspect, solar energy systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a comprises an electrochemical cell comprising a photoelectrode, a counter electrode, and an ion transport membrane disposed between the photoelectrode and counter electrode. The cell further comprises a first electrolyte solution disposed in fluid communication with the photoelectrode and the membrane, and a second electrolyte solution disposed in fluid communication with the membrane and the counter electrode. The first and/or second electrolyte solution comprises a solvated redox pair. Additionally, the cell also comprises a storage electrode, a first external electrical connection between the photoelectrode and the counter electrode, and a second external electrical connection between the counter electrode and the storage electrode. Components of the system define a liquid junction photovoltaic cell under light conditions and a galvanic cell under dark conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nanocomposites of CuO/Cu2O and continuous flow solar reactors. The nanocomposites can be utilized as a photocatalyst and can be incorporated into photoelectrochemical devices. The described devices, systems, and methods can be used for converting CO2 into one or more alcohols and other small organics with the use of solar energy and electricity. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A photocatalytic metal deposition process and a resulting nanocomposite are described. The nanocomposite includes an electrically conducting carbonaceous material, a photoactive metal oxide and a metal. Metals for deposition include noble metals, metal alloys and other transition metals in which the metal is laid down precisely and in a predetermined fashion on one or more surfaces of a composite. Deposition provides a high performance electrocatalyst for a number of suitable applications.

Abstract: A process of stripping a coating according to the invention comprises subjecting a coated substrate to an aqueous medium containing a peroxide and an interfacial mixing agent, and to heating preferably by either ultraviolet (UV) and/or infrared (IR) radiation. The substrate is completely stripped of the coating and suffers no damage to itself as a result of the paint debonding/dislodging process. No toxic wastes are generated from this process, nor are particulates associated with air pollution generated. The metal substrates being stripped also do not undergo corrosion or other damage as a result of the described process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing inorganic oxide particles from a precursor material or mixture under combustion synthesis and compositions thereof. The combustion synthesis method is low-cost, low tech, and energy efficient. The combustion synthesized inorganic oxide particles of the method are smaller and exhibits a lower band gap than commercially available specimen of the same chemical composition.

Abstract: A photocatalytic metal deposition process and a resulting nanocomposite are described. The nanocomposite includes an electrically conducting carbonaceous material, a photoactive metal oxide and a metal. Metals for deposition include noble metals, metal alloys and other transition metals in which the metal is laid down precisely and in a predetermined fashion on one or more surfaces of a composite. Deposition provides a high performance electrocatalyst for a number of suitable applications.

Abstract: A process of stripping a coating according to the invention comprises subjecting a coated substrate to an aqueous medium containing a peroxide and an interfacial mixing agent, and to heating preferably by either ultraviolet (UV) and/or infrared (IR) radiation. The substrate is completely stripped of the coating and suffers no damage to itself as a result of the paint debonding/dislodging process. No toxic wastes are generated from this process, nor are particulates associated with air pollution generated. The metal substrates being stripped also do not undergo corrosion or other damage as a result of the described process.

Abstract: The treatment of solutions of metal ions with redox polymers under conditions to reduce the ions to a lower valence. The resulting solutions of the lower valence ions are separated from the polymers, and the polymers are regenerated for further use in such treatment. The method of the invention is employed to convert high valence, toxic metal ions to lower valence ions of reduced toxicity. Preferably, the electronically conductive polymer is mounted on a suitable support, and a solution of the toxic metal ion is brought into contact with the polymer. A variety of redox polymers, in particular, electronically conductive polymers, may be used in the practice of the invention, and individual such polymers may be structurally altered to suit particular metal ions. Polymers especially contemplated for use in the invention are polypyrroles, polyanilines and polythiophenes. All of these polymers are characterized as redox polymers with a positive charge on their backbones.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electronically conductive polymer film comprising colloidal catalytic particles homogeneously dispersed therein. The electronically conductive polymer is preferably polypyrrole although other conductive polymers, for example, polyaniline and polythiophene are also utilizable. The preferred catalytic particles are platinum although other catalytic particles such as RuO.sub.2, Ag, Pd, Ni, Cd, Co, Mo, Mn-oxide, Mn-sulfide, a molybdate, a tungstate, tungsten carbide, a thiospinel, Ru, Rh, Os, It, or a platinum palladium alloy (Pt/Pd).The colloidal catalytic particles incorporated in the film of the present invention are less than 100 nanometers in size, preferably about 10 nm in size. In a most preferred composition, the polymer is polypyrrole and the catalytic particles are platinum.The present invention also involves a method of producing an electronically conductive polymer film containing colloidal catalytic particles homogeneously dispersed therein.