IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,371,803
Granted Patent B2
US 12,371,803 · App. 18/460,186 · Granted Jul 29, 2025

Perforated membranes for the efficient conversion of carbon monoxide to organic compounds

Inventors: Leiming Hu (Wheat Ridge, CO); Kenneth Charles Neyerlin (Arvada, CO)
Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
C25B3/07C25B3/26C25B9/23C25B11/031C25B11/052C25B11/065C25B11/081C25B13/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,371,803
App. No.
18/460,186
Granted
Jul 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Described herein are devices and methods for the facile, efficient electrocatalytic conversion of carbon monoxide to high purity formic acid and other organic compounds. The described devices utilize perforated membranes to reduce energy requirements and extend electrochemical cell life by reducing damage caused by fluids being formed between internal ion exchange membranes.

Claims (38)

1. A device comprising:

an anode;

a cathode; and

a cationic exchange membrane and an anionic exchange membrane positioned between the anode and cathode;

wherein at least one of the cationic exchange membrane and the anionic exchange membrane is a perforated ion exchange membrane;

wherein the device is an electrochemical cell for the conversion of carbon monoxide to organic compounds via electrolysis;

wherein perforated ion exchange membrane is a cathode catalyst coated membrane.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the perforated ion exchange membrane has void space selected from the range of 0.1% to 50% of a surface area of the perforated ion exchange membrane.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the perforated ion exchange membrane comprises alternating parallel segments of membrane separated by void space.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cathode catalyst coated membrane comprises Pt/HSC or Pt/V.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the perforated ion exchange membrane comprises Nafion.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cathode is a gas diffusion electrode.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cathode comprises a porous carbon electrode and a cathode catalyst.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cationic exchange membrane is proximate to the anode and the anionic exchange membrane is proximate to the cathode.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the anion exchange membrane comprises a functionalized poly (aryl piperidinium) polymer.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises a porous carbon electrode.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises an anode catalyst.

12. A device comprising:

an anode comprising a porous carbon electrode and an anode catalyst;

a cathode comprising a porous carbon electrode and a cathode catalyst;

a perforated cationic exchange membrane positioned between the anode and the cathode; and

an anionic exchange membrane positioned between the anode and the cathode;

a second ion exchange membrane, which is anionic and positioned proximate to the cathode;

wherein the device is an electrochemical cell for the conversion of carbon monoxide to formic acid via electrolysis;

wherein the second ion exchange membrane is perforated.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the perforated ion exchange membrane has void space greater than or equal to 10% of a surface area of the perforated ion exchange membrane.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the perforated ion exchange membrane comprises alternating parallel segments of membrane separated by void space.

15. The device of claim 12 , wherein perforated ion exchange membrane is a cathode catalyst coated membrane, positioned proximate to the anode.

16. A method comprising:

providing an electrochemical cell comprising:

an anode;

a cathode; and

a cationic exchange membrane and an anionic exchange membrane positioned between the anode and cathode;

wherein at least one of the cationic exchange membrane and the anionic exchange membrane is a perforated ion exchange membrane;

wherein perforated ion exchange membrane is a cathode catalyst coated membrane;

generating an electrical current between the anode and the cathode;

flowing carbon monoxide gas to the cathode, thereby reacting the carbon monoxide gas and generating organic compounds.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the perforated ion exchange membrane has void space greater than or equal to 10% of a surface area of the perforated ion exchange membrane.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 16, 2025
From: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
To: ALLIANCE FOR ENERGY INNOVATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 073993/0276 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Feb 26, 2024
From: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 066558/0487 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2023
From: HU, LEIMING; NEYERLIN, KENNETH CHARLES
To: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 064778/0182 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 18333391 · Jun 12, 2023
Provisional Application 63386711 · Dec 9, 2022
Related Publication 20240191366A1 · Jun 13, 2024
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