Minireview of Coupled Electrochemical Hydrogen Production and Organic-Oxidation for Low Energy Consumption

Abstract

Hydrogen production from electrochemical water splitting has attracted great attention due to its supply to green energy. However, commercial alkaline water electrolysis is energy intensive due to inert and large overpotentials of anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Electro-oxidation of organics is an attractive alternative to the OER. With electro-oxidation of special organic substrates on an active anode, decreased cell voltage of H 2 evolution can be achieved along with the production of valueadded products. In this review, we summarize the latest progress on coupled H 2 production with organic electro-oxidation systems. Different organic compounds containing oxygen (alcoholic hydroxyl, aldehydes, ketone), nitrogen, sulfides, and olefin/alkane groups have been selectively oxidized into high value-added products on the anodes, thereby promoting H 2 evolution on the cathodes. Some complicated coupling reactions, such as the formation of C−C and C−N, are also introduced in the coupling systems. In addition, the challenges and prospects for the future development of this research field are highlighted.

2023 Pioneers in Energy Research: Shizhang Qiao

“…Six papers (1 review, 4 articles, and 1 communication) are devoted to various types of catalysts for water splitting. Chen et al proposed a review on hydrogen electrocatalytic production by OER. Electro-oxidation of organics is an attractive alternative to the OER.…”

“…Electro-oxidation of organics is an attractive alternative to the OER. Chen et al summarized the latest progress on coupled H 2 production with organic electro-oxidation systems. Different organic compounds containing oxygen, nitrogen, sulfides, and olefin/alkane groups have been selectively oxidized into high-value-added products on the anodes, thereby promoting H 2 evolution on the cathodes.…”

Surface Reconstruction for Selective Oxidation of Tetrahydroisoquinoline

“…Developing clean energy technologies to meet the ever-increasing energy demands and to minimize the environmental impacts of energy use is one of the most crucial challenges. − As a green and sustainable energy carrier, hydrogen could be obtained from water splitting by various renewable electric energy sources such as wind, solar, etc. − For water splitting, the anode ended with oxygen evolution reaction (OER) presents a high energy barrier, which greatly limits the total energy efficiency for hydrogen production on the other end. − Studies have focused on the designing of highly active and economical OER catalysts to replace the traditionally precious IrO 2 and RuO 2 catalysts and to improve hydrogen production efficiency. − …”