Recent Advances in Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation Reactions on Copper‐Based Catalysts

Abstract

Hydrogenation reactions play a critical role in the synthesis of value‐added products within the chemical industry. Electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) using water as the hydrogen source has emerged as an alternative to conventional thermocatalytic processes for sustainable and decentralized chemical synthesis under mild conditions. Among various ECH catalysts, copper‐based (Cu‐based) nanomaterials are promising candidates due to their earth‐abundance, unique electronic structure, versatility, and high activity/selectivity. Herein, recent advances in the application of Cu‐based catalysts in ECH reactions for the upgrading of valuable chemicals are systematically analyzed. The unique properties of Cu‐based catalysts in ECH are initially introduced, followed by the design strategies to enhance their activity and selectivity. Then, typical ECH reactions on Cu‐based catalysts are presented in detail, including carbon dioxide reduction for multicarbon generation, alkyne‐to‐alkene conversion, selective aldehyde conversion, ammonia production from nitrogen‐containing substances, and amine production from organic nitrogen compounds. In these catalysts, we focus on the role of catalyst composition and nanostructures toward different products. The co‐hydrogenation of two substrates (e.g., CO2 and NOxn, CO2 and SO32–, etc.) via C–N, C–S, and C–C cross‐coupling reactions are also highlighted. Finally, the critical issues and future perspectives of Cu‐catalyzed ECH are proposed to accelerate the rational development of next‐generation catalysts.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

NC Meets CN: Porous Photoanodes with Polymeric Carbon Nitride/ZnSe Nanocrystal Heterojunctions for Photoelectrochemical Applications

“… 64 Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at different potentials (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.25 V vs Ag/AgCl) showed reduced charge transfer resistance in CNGO/ZnSe compared to CNGO, indicating improved charge transfer, which we attribute to the spatial separation of excited charge carriers across the heterojunction as a result of the type–II band alignment ( Figure S7 ). 65 , 66 Chronopotentiometric open circuit potential ( V OC ) measurements for CNGO and CNGO/ZnSe films further examine the quasi-equilibrium attained in the dark or under illumination, where generation, accumulation, and recombination of photoinduced electron–hole pairs take place. Compared to a CNGO film alone, the CNGO/ZnSe composite photoanode exhibits a more negative V OC under 1 sun illumination ( Figure S8 ), suggesting that the presence of ZnSe NCs facilitates the accumulation of photoinduced electrons within the CB of CNGO, thereby promoting the separation of excitons.…”

Switchable selectivity to electrocatalytic reduction of furfural over Cu2O-derived nanowire arrays

“…Within this context, extensive research revealed the effect of the intrinsic properties of catalytic materials for guiding the design of highly efficient catalysts. 17,18 Meanwhile, the influence of other parameters, such as the pH of the electrolyte, 16,19,20 applied potential 21,22 and reactant concentration, 23–25 has also been investigated. Kwon et al reviewed the effect of electrode materials, 26 and Biddinger's group also highlighted the strategies to obtain target products and inhibit competing reactions.…”

Alloying and confinement effects on hierarchically nanoporous CuAu for efficient electrocatalytic semi-hydrogenation of terminal alkynes

“…Selective semi-hydrogenation of alkynes into alkenes is an important catalytic reaction for the synthesis of value-added fine chemicals 1 – 3 . Currently, the semi-hydrogenation reaction of alkynes is commonly operated (thermo)chemical hydrogenation (TCH), where the flammable and explosive H 2 gas as the source is catalytically dissociated for subsequent hydrogenation of alkynes under high temperature and pressure conditions 4 – 6 .…”