Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

University of North Dakota

Christine E Lucky

Marcel Schreier

Daniel Laudal

Nolan Theaker

Harshal Bakshi

Electrochemical systems and methods for cleaving C—C bonds are disclosed. In performing the method, a reactant adsorption electrical potential, a C—C bond breaking electrical potential, and a desorption electrical potential are sequentially applied to an electrode pair contacting a composition initially containing a target chemical reactant, such as a polymer or alkane. As a result of performing the method, one or more desired chemical products, such as smaller alkane-containing molecules, are released from the electrode into the region between the electrode pairs. The method may be performed at ambient temperatures using renewable electricity.

Electrochemical breaking of C—C bonds

A method of making alkenes and/or epoxides from alkanes and hydroxy-alkanes, respectively. In a reactor having an anode and a cathode separated by an ion exchange membrane, and containing a solution comprising water, halogen ions, and an alkane and/or a hydroxy-alkane, apply a potential across the anode and the cathode such that a halogenated intermediate is produced at the anode as an anolyte and hydroxyl ions are produced at the cathode as a catholyte; and combining the anolyte and the catholyte to yield an alkene and/or an epoxide.

Electrochemical dehydrogenation, epoxidation, substitution, and halogenation of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives

A method for recovering rare earth elements (REE) from a leach solution. The method includes determining the concentration of a first plurality of contaminates in the leach solution, adding a first amount of oxalic acid to the leach solution and allowing it to react for a first period of time to form a first precipitant and a first liquor, maintaining the pH of the first liquor between 1.5 and 3 by the addition of an alkali base, removing the first precipitant, adding a second amount of oxalic acid to the first liquor and allowing it to react for a second period of time to form a second precipitant and a second liquor, maintaining the pH of the second liquor between 1.5 and 3 by the addition of the alkali base, and removing the second precipitant.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Christine E Lucky