A switchable route to valuable commodity chemicals from glycerol via electrocatalytic oxidation with an earth abundant metal oxidation catalyst

Abstract

A switchable mild electrocatalytic protocol to transform glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, into either lactic or glyceric acid is reported.

Electrocatalytic and Electroanalytic Investigation of Carbohydrates Oxidation on Gold-Based Nanocatalysts in Alkaline and Neutral pHs

“…Up to now, the majority of electrolysis occurs in acidic media and needs precious and expensive metals (IrO 2 , RuO 2 , Pt), and only a few attempts have been dedicated to solid alkaline membrane electrolysis cells (SAMECs) for organics oxidation at the anode. [7][8][9][10][11] Thus, an advanced electrode material for the selective oxidation of organics in an EC enables recovering a value-added product, enabling to cut down the overall H 2 production cost. Furthermore, the production of chemicals from pristine abundant organics (known as organic electrosynthesis) could also become an excellent idea to avoid excessive CO 2 emissions.…”

“…Carbon-based fuels can be used in fuel cells (FCs) [1][2][3][4][5][6] for the production of electricity -despite their relatively low gravimetric energy density compared to molecular hydrogen, 33 kWh kg −1 vs. 1-9 kWh kg −1 -or in electrolysis cells (ECs) [7][8][9][10][11] for the production of fuels and/or chemicals. For FCs, the main selection criterion for the design and fabrication of electrode materials is the electrooxidation with the lowest overpotential, i.e., at low electrode potentials (E), ideally E < 0.7 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE).…”

Prospects of Value‐Added Chemicals and Hydrogen via Electrolysis

“…Glyceraldehyde and hydroxypyruvate are very important intermediates for the further generation of lactic acid and 1,3‐propanediol, two essential building blocks for polymers. Reports regarding the synthesis of lactic acid via the glycerol electrooxidation are limited; however, the glyceraldehyde or dihydroxyacetone generation without further oxidation is essential for determining the reaction pathway . If a higher oxidation state of glycerol is achieved and glyceric acid is formed, the formation of lactic acid is no longer possible.…”

“…The formation of lactic acid was possible at low current densities (1.8 mA cm −2 ) at 60 °C whereas glyceric acid formed at higher current densities (8.8 mA cm −2 ) at room temperature. As byproducts oxalic, tartronic, glycolic and formic acid were reported …”

Enhanced Catalytic Glycerol Oxidation Activity Enabled by Activated‐Carbon‐Supported Palladium Catalysts Prepared through Atomic Layer Deposition

“…In the coming decades, fuel cells are expected to play a central role by delivering clean electrical energy. Electrochemical reforming, the electrolysis of biomass‐derived alcohols, enables the production of hydrogen gas at the cathode and useful chemicals at the anode, with a low energy input . To electrochemically produce H 2 using a water electrolyzer, a large cell voltage of ca.…”