Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Other

James B Gerken

Shannon S Stahl

Colin W Anson

Terry M Mattchen

Thatcher W Root

Yuliya Preger

Substituted hydroquinones and quinones and methods of synthesizing such compounds are disclosed herein. The substituted hydroquinones have the formula: while the substituted quinones have the corresponding oxidized structure (1,4-benzoquinones). One, two, three, or all four of R, R, Rand Rcomprise a thioether moiety and a sulfonate moiety, and wherein each R, R, Rand Rthat does not comprise a thioether and a sulfonate moiety sulfonate moiety is independently a hydrogen, an alkyl or an electron withdrawing group. The substituted hydroquinones and quinones are soluble in water, stable in aqueous acid solutions, and have a high reduction potential in the oxidized form. Accordingly, they can be used as redox mediators in emerging technologies, such as in mediated fuel cells or organic-mediator flow batteries.

High solubility thioether quinones

Anode half-cells for the electrocatalytic oxidation of a liquid or gaseous fuel or other reductant are disclosed, along with electrochemical cells that include such half-cells. The anode half-cells include redox mediator/heterogeneous redox catalyst pairs within an electrolyte solution that is also in contact with an electrode. The electrode is not in direct contact with the heterogeneous catalyst. The redox mediator must include at least one carbon atom and be capable of transferring or accepting electrons and protons while undergoing reduction or oxidation. In operation, the fuel or other reductant is oxidized and the redox mediator is reduced at the heterogeneous catalyst. The reduced form of the redox mediator can then migrate to the electrode, where it is converted back to its oxidized form, which can then migrate back to the heterogeneous catalyst, where the cycle is repeated. The disclosed anode half-cells can be used in electrochemical cells, such as in fuel cells that produce electricity, or in electrosynthetic cells that produce one or more desired chemical products.

Flow-based anode for the electrocatalytic oxidation of a fuel or other reductant

High-solubility thioether quinones

Disclosed are systems for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen, having redox mediator/redox catalyst pairs and an electrolyte solution in contact with an electrode. The redox mediator is included in the electrolyte solution, and the redox catalyst may be included in the electrolyte solution, or alternatively, may be in contact with the electrolyte solution. In one form a cobalt redox catalyst is used with a quinone redox mediator. In another form a nitrogen oxide redox catalyst is used with a nitroxyl type redox mediator. The systems can be used in electrochemical cells wherein neither the anode nor the cathode comprise an expensive metal such as platinum.

Charge transfer mediator based systems for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction

Disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt, oxygen and buffering electrolytes (e.g. fluoride). They can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and an anionic buffering electrolyte. The catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to oxygen and hydrogen gas at a range of mildly acidic conditions. Alternatively, these anodes can be used with cathodes that facilitate other desirable reactions such as converting carbon dioxide to methanol.

Buffered cobalt oxide catalysts

Disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt, oxygen and fluorine. They can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and fluoride. The catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, even at pH neutral/room temperature reaction conditions. The resulting hydrogen gas is a means of storing renewable energy for use in hydrogen powered vehicles or the like.

Cobalt oxyfluoride catalysts for electrolytic dissociation of water

A cable in accordance with the invention includes at least one core filament having a visually distinctive appearance; and a jacket, wrapped around at least a portion of said core filament. The jacket is adapted to change its opacity in response to tensile stress, thereby modulating the visibility of the core filament in relation to such stress. As a result, the overall appearance of the cable responds to stress, by changing at least one of chroma, hue, or value (visual appearance) quantifiably in response to tension.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

James B Gerken