Electrochemical reduction device

Abstract

An electrochemical reduction device includes: an electrolyte membrane; a reduction electrode; an oxygen generating electrode; a raw material supplier; a moisture supplier; and a power controller. The oxygen generating electrode has: an electron conductive metal substrate; a protective layer that contains one or two or more metals or metal oxides, the metal (metals) being selected from the group consisting of Nb, Mo, Ta, and W, and that covers the metal substrate; and a catalyst that contains one or two or more metals or metal oxides, the metal (metals) being selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and that is held on the surface of the protective layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrochemical reduction device comprising:
 an electrolyte membrane having proton conductivity;   a reduction electrode that is provided in contact with one major surface of the electrolyte membrane and contains a reduction catalyst for producing a hydride of an aromatic compound;   an oxygen generating electrode provided in contact with the other major surface of the electrolyte membrane;   a raw material supplier that supplies the aromatic compound in a liquid state to the reduction electrode;   a moisture supplier that supplies water or humidified gas to the oxygen generating electrode; and   a power controller that externally applies an electric field such that the reduction electrode has an electronegative potential and the oxygen generating electrode has an electropositive potential, wherein   the oxygen generating electrode has: an electron conductive metal substrate; a protective layer that contains one or two or more metals or metal oxides, the metal (metals) being selected from the group consisting of Nb, Mo, Ta, and W, and that covers the metal substrate; and a catalyst that contains one or two or more metals or metal oxides, the metal (metals) being selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and that is held on the surface of the protective layer.   
     
     
         2 . The electrochemical reduction device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the metal substrate is a molded body selected from the group consisting of a metal fiber, a sintered body of a metal porous body, a foamed molded body, and an expanded metal.   
     
     
         3 . The electrochemical reduction device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the metal substrate contains titanium.   
     
     
         4 . The electrochemical reduction device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the catalyst is iridium oxide.