Energy - Issued patents / Published patent applications

Described herein are organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells using gold complex(es) with as chemical structure of Structure I as active material: wherein, wherein R1-R15 are independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, an unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, an unsubstituted aryl, a substituted aryl, acyl, alkoxy, acyloxy, amino, alkylamino, nitro, acylamino, aralkyl, cyano, carboxyl, thio, styryl, aminocarbonyl, carbamoyl, aryloxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, hydroxyalkyl, or an alkoxycarbonyl group. The OPV cell can be fabricated by thermal deposition or solution process such as spin coat and printing.

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells and methods of forming the same are provided. An OPV cell can include an organic photoactive layer comprising bis-(8-quinolinolato-N,O) platinum (II) (PtQ2) having a general structure disclosed herein as Structure I. A method of forming an OPV cell can include forming an organic photoactive layer on a substrate, which can include a transparent electrode. The organic photoactive layer can comprises PtQ2 having the general structure of Structure I.

A catalyst for the generation of hydrogen from a small organic molecule comprises a tertiary metal composition where: the first metal is either pt or ru; the second metal is at least one of pt, ru, au, pd, rh, ir, os, and/or re; and bi, primarily present in the form of an oxide or of a mixture of oxides and carbonates and in the +3 oxidation state. A portion of the first and/or second metal may be in the form of an oxide. The catalyst can be in the form of a nanoparticle and supported on an inert substrate, such as carbon. The catalyst can be used for dehydrogenation of formic acid or other small organic molecules in a liquid state at ambient pressures and at temperatures below the boiling point of the liquid. The liquid can be an aqueous solution of the small organic molecule.

An electrochemical device such as a battery and a fuel cell having two electrolytes between the anode and the cathode. The electrochemical device is preferably arranged with an alkaline electrolyte in contact with the anode and an acidic electrolyte in contact with the cathode. The electrolytes are separated by a bipolar membrane that preferably also provides ionic conductivity between the two electrolytes and also generates a supply of protons and hydroxide anions. The electrochemical device achieves fifty percent higher operating voltage and power compared to fuel cells with a single electrolyte.