# US 11,299,811 B2 · Continuous flow reactor and hybrid electro-catalyst for high selectivity production of C2H4 from CO2 and water via electrolysis

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- Number: US 11,299,811 B2
- Document ID: US11299811B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/261,484
- Filed: 2019-01-29
- Published: 2019-08-01
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-01-29
- Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
- Applicants: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
- Inventors: Norma S. Tacconi; Wilaiwan Chanmanee; Brian Dennis; Krishnan Rajeshwar
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299811B2

## CPC

- C25B 11/091: consisting of at least one catalytic element and at least one catalytic compound; consisting of two or more catalytic elements or catalytic compounds
- C25B 3/03: Acyclic or carbocyclic hydrocarbons
- C25B 3/25: Reduction
- C25B 3/26: of carbon dioxide
- C25B 11/031: Porous electrodes
- C25B 11/032: Gas diffusion electrodes
- C25B 11/051: Electrodes formed of electrocatalysts on a substrate or carrier
- C25B 11/052: Electrodes comprising one or more electrocatalytic coatings on a substrate
- C25B 11/056: consisting of textile or non-woven fabric
- C25B 11/065: Carbon
- C25B 11/069: consisting of at least one single element and at least one compound; consisting of two or more compounds
- C25B 11/075: consisting of a single catalytic element or catalytic compound
- C25B 11/077: the compound being a non-noble metal oxide
- C25B: ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR (anodic or cathodic protection C23F13/00; single-crystal growth C30B)

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electrochemical reactor for use with an electrolyte that generates gaseous products, comprising:
an electrolyte channel, wherein the electrolyte channel does not comprise a solid, a first and a second electrode layer and a first and a second gas channel;
wherein:
(a) the first electrode layer is directly adjacent the electrolyte channel,
(b) the second electrode layer is directly adjacent the electrolyte channel,
(c) the first electrode layer separates the electrolyte channel and the first gas channel,
(d) the second electrode layer separates the electrolyte channel and the second gas channel,
(e) each electrode layer comprises a gas side and a catalyst side, wherein the catalyst side comprises a catalyst layer comprising a catalyst, wherein the catalyst layer is directly adjacent to the electrolyte channel; and
(f) each electrode layer is hydrophilic on the catalyst side and hydrophobic on the gas side.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical reactor of claim 1, wherein each electrode layer comprises an electrically conducting porous layer on the gas side of the electrode layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The electrochemical reactor of claim 2, wherein the electrically conducting porous layer is made from a hydrophobic material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The electrochemical reactor of claim 3, wherein the hydrophobic material is polytetrafluoroethylene.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The electrochemical reactor of claim 2, wherein the catalyst is electrodeposited on the catalyst side of the electrode layer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The electrochemical reactor of claim 2, wherein the catalyst is Pt, Ru, Cu, Ti, Ni, or Cu—Br.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The electrochemical reactor of claim 2, wherein the catalyst is formed from a hybrid Cu2O—CuBr film.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical reactor of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is an anion conducting electrolyte.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical reactor of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is a cation conducting electrolyte.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical reactor of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is NaOH, NaHCO3, KOH, or Na2SO4.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

A system for producing C2H4 from CO2, comprising an electrochemical reactor of claim 7, and a liquid electrolyte, wherein the liquid electrolyte is an anion conducting electrolyte, a cation conducting electrolyte, or an electrolyte selected from the group consisting of NaOH, NaHCO3, KOH, or Na2SO4.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the liquid electrolyte is pumped continuously into the electrolyte channel of the electrochemical reactor.