Patent ID: 9181625
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: C25B,G01N

Abstract:
1. An electrochemical device for converting CO 2 to a reaction product, the electrochemical device comprising a cathode, a source of CO 2 in fluid communication with the cathode, a Helper Catalyst, and a component located within 1 mm of the cathode, wherein the Helper Catalyst is any organic molecule or ion, or a mixture of organic molecules and/or ions, excluding organo-metallic compounds, that does at least one of the following: (i) speeds up a chemical reaction, or (ii) lowers the overpotential of the reaction, without being substantially consumed in the process, the component comprising at least one of: wherein the component comprises a substance having a pH having a value of 1.1-5.5 when the pH of the substance is measured according to at least one of the following tests: Test I: measuring the pH of the substance directly, using a pH meter; Test II: mixing a given volume of the substance with an equal volume of water and agitating, then measuring the pH of the resultant water-rich phase; Test III: mixing a given volume of the substance with an equal volume of isopropanol and stirring, then measuring the pH of the resultant alcohol-rich phase; and Test IV: mixing a given volume of the substance with an equal volume of isopropanol and agitating, adding 20% water by volume to the alcohol-rich phase, then measuring the pH of the resultant alcohol-rich phase.