Transforming Electrocatalytic Biomass Upgrading and Hydrogen Production from Electricity Input to Electricity Output

Abstract

Integrating biomass upgrading and hydrogen production in an electrocatalytic system is attractive both environmentally and in terms of sustainability. Conventional electrolyser systems coupling anodic biosubstrate electrooxidation with hydrogen evolution reaction usually require electricity input. Herein, we describe the development of an electrocatalytic system for simultaneous biomass upgrading, hydrogen production, and electricity generation. In contrast to conventional furfural electrooxidation, the employed lowpotential furfural oxidation enabled the hydrogen atom of the aldehyde group to be released as gaseous hydrogen at the anode at a low potential of approximately 0 V RHE (vs. RHE). The integrated electrocatalytic system could generate electricity of about 2 kWh per cubic meter of hydrogen produced. This study may provide a transformative technology to convert electrocatalytic biomass upgrading and hydrogen production from a process requiring electricity input into a process to generate electricity.

A Pair-Electrosynthesis for Formate at Ultra-Low Voltage Via Coupling of CO2 Reduction and Formaldehyde Oxidation

“…However, the relatively low current density under 50 mA cm −2 limits the practical application for formate electrosynthesis. In our previous work, the oxidation of the aldehyde to acid accompanied by the formation of H 2 was successfully achieved in alkaline electrolytes at an ultra-low potential catalyzed by a Cu/Cu foam catalyst [ 25 , 26 ]. Cu foam is a three-dimensional highly porous substrate that facilitates mass transfer and gas desorption.…”

A Zn–nitrite battery as an energy-output electrocatalytic system for high-efficiency ammonia synthesis using carbon-doped cobalt oxide nanotubes

“…The performance of NH 3 synthesis and produced electricity energy are two key pillars for the energy-output electrocatalytic system. 9 In terms of the four mentioned species, the reduction of N 2 in an aqueous electrolyte is the most difficult both kinetically and thermodynamically based on the reduction potential (only 0.275 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE) and the ultralow solubility in water (Fig. 1).…”

Earth‐Abundant Metal‐Based Electrocatalysts Promoted Anodic Reaction in Hybrid Water Electrolysis for Efficient Hydrogen Production: Recent Progress and Perspectives

“…It is because the H atom of the aldehyde group is not oxidized into H 2 O any more, but to be released as H 2 directly after the CH bond cleavage. [ 66 ] Consequently, both H 2 gas and furoic acid can be produced from anodic chamber. Further studies reveal that metallic Cu can only exclusively oxidize aldehyde group into carboxylic acid but be inert to hydroxymethyl group.…”