Both sides matter: anode configurations alter the activity of electrolyzers for organic hydrogenations

Abstract

Electrifying the chemical industry is a key step towards the generation of green and sustainable chemical products. Electrochemical hydrogenations have gained a central role in this effort, generating important synthons...

Developing electrochemical hydrogenation towards industrial application

“…Although in the case of flow-cell electrolyzers, the catalytic particles can only be deposited onto the electrode surface, for ZGEs the catalytic layer can additionally be directly applied on the surface of the membrane. 74,75 The so-called catalyst coated substrate (CCS) configuration can be directly achieved by spray-coating, dip-coating or doctor blading, while catalystcoated membrane (CCM) configurations can additionally be performed through the use of the decal process, involving the transfer of catalytic layer to conductive membranes via hotpressing (Fig. 6).…”

“…85 Moreover, despite their omnipresence and success in the field of EChH, systematic studies on the influence of reactor components, such as the employed support, binder nature and content, membrane, and flow field structures, for a broad range of substrates are currently limited. 75,76,[86][87][88] Regarding the interplay between the employed support and substrate type, Chen et al investigated the hydrogenation of maleic acid and butanone. 86 Their study also highlights issues with the stability of the commonly used Nafion membranes and binder under elevated organic substrate concentrations, leading to cracking and peeling of the catalytic layer.…”

“…While the metal composition influences the activity and selectivity, we could show that, on the way to a functional electrolyzer process, parameters and components like the electrode support and membrane strongly influence the observed performance. 75,87 Notably, the cell potential and also the hydrogenation activity are sensitive towards the design and processing of the anode. 75 Taken together, the industrial transformation of the thermocatalytic MBY hydrogenation to an electrocatalytic one seems everything but implausible.…”

“…75,87 Notably, the cell potential and also the hydrogenation activity are sensitive towards the design and processing of the anode. 75 Taken together, the industrial transformation of the thermocatalytic MBY hydrogenation to an electrocatalytic one seems everything but implausible. The promising holistic approach for the hydrogenation of MBY includes scalable and energy efficient cells, high current densities (4100 mA cm À2 ), optimization procedures for the whole cell performance and a technoeconomic assessment.…”

Forschungstransfer: Elektrochemische CO2‐Reduktion

“…Ohne Referenzdaten ist daher jeder Vergleich von Anoden-und Kathodenmaterialien mit der Literatur obsolet. 23) Die Effizienz eines Elektrolyseaufbaus lässt sich nur mit allgemein anerkannten, in allen Laboratorien verwendeten Vergleichs-Katalysatoren sollen in optimierten Reaktoren getestet werden. Produktion und Testung in anwendbaren Elektrolyse stacks und Demonstratoren erlauben Einblicke in eine großskalige Anwendung.…”