Method and apparatus for a photocatalytic and electrocatalytic copolymer

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a photocatalytic and electrolytic catalyst includes in various aspects one or more catalysts, a method for forming a catalyst, an electrolytic cell, and a reaction method.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An electrolytic cell, comprising:
 at least one reaction chamber into which, during operation, an aqueous electrolyte and a gaseous feedstock are introduced, wherein the gaseous feedstock comprises a carbon-based gas; and   a pair of reaction electrodes disposed within the reaction chamber, at least one of the reaction electrodes including a catalyst comprising a first component selected from protein enzymes, metabolic factors, organometallic compounds, porphyrins and combinations thereof and a second component bonded to the first component, wherein the second component is selected from fluorinated sulfonic acid based polymers, polyaniline and combinations thereof;   wherein the catalyst, the aqueous electrolyte and the gaseous feedstock, define a three-phase interface.   
     
     
         2 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous electrolyte is selected from potassium chloride, potassium bromide, potassium iodide, or hydrogen chloride. 
     
     
         3 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon-based gas comprises a non-polar gas, a carbon oxide, or a mixture of the two. 
     
     
         4 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the non-polar gases include a hydrocarbon gas. 
     
     
         5 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon oxide includes carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or a mixture of the two. 
     
     
         6 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the gaseous feedstock is a greenhouse gas. 
     
     
         7 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the first component selected from chlorophyll, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase, chlorophyllin, azurite, tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin hemoglobin, ferritin, co-enzyme Q, derivatives thereof and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the metabolic factor is selected from vitamins. 
     
     
         9 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the metabolic factor is vitamin B12. 
     
     
         10 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst comprises a film of the first component and the second component. 
     
     
         11 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the first component is incorporated into a membrane formed of the second component. 
     
     
         12 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst further comprises a support material. 
     
     
         13 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 12 , wherein the support material comprises a nanoparticle mixture. 
     
     
         14 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 12 , wherein the support material is selected from a plurality of fullerene molecules, a plurality of quantum dots, graphite, a plurality of zeolites, and activated carbon. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 contacting a gaseous feedstock, an aqueous electrolyte, and a solid catalyst in a reaction area, wherein the catalyst comprises a first component selected from protein enzymes, metabolic factors, organometallic compounds and combinations thereof and a second component bonded to the first component, wherein the second component is selected from fluorinated sulfonic acid based polymers, polyaniline and combinations thereof; and   activating the gaseous feedstock in an aqueous electrochemical reaction in the reaction area to yield a product.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the product comprises a chain modified hydrocarbon or organic component. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method is a continuous gas capture process and further comprises sequestering the product. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the gaseous feedstock is a dilute, atmospheric greenhouse gas. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the product comprises amino acids, organic components, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein activating the gaseous feedstock in an aqueous electrochemical reaction in the reaction area comprises irradiating the reaction area.