Photoelectrochemical Glycerol Oxidation Coupled with Hydrogen Production

Abstract

The catalytic oxidation of glycerol, a surplus byproduct of biodiesel, has received increasing attention due to the popular applications of its oxidation products, such as aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylates. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) methods provide a clean and sustainable pathway for glycerol oxidation and upgrading. However, selective oxidation of glycerol is a challenge due to its complex oxidation path, where the cleavage of C–O or C–C bonds at different positions can lead to a variety of products. This concept aims to describe the recent advances in PEC selective glycerol oxidation for the preparation of multiple high value‐added products, and discuss the reaction mechanism and selective production strategies in detail. Finally, the remaining challenges and future prospects for the PEC glycerol oxidation system are presented.