Efficient electrochemical production of glucaric acid and H2 via glucose electrolysis

Nat Commun. 2020 Jan 14;11(1):265. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-14157-3.

Abstract

Glucose electrolysis offers a prospect of value-added glucaric acid synthesis and energy-saving hydrogen production from the biomass-based platform molecules. Here we report that nanostructured NiFe oxide (NiFeOx) and nitride (NiFeNx) catalysts, synthesized from NiFe layered double hydroxide nanosheet arrays on three-dimensional Ni foams, demonstrate a high activity and selectivity towards anodic glucose oxidation. The electrolytic cell assembled with these two catalysts can deliver 100 mA cm-2 at 1.39 V. A faradaic efficiency of 87% and glucaric acid yield of 83% are obtained from the glucose electrolysis, which takes place via a guluronic acid pathway evidenced by in-situ infrared spectroscopy. A rigorous process model combined with a techno-economic analysis shows that the electrochemical reduction of glucose produces glucaric acid at a 54% lower cost than the current chemical approach. This work suggests that glucose electrolysis is an energy-saving and cost-effective approach for H2 production and biomass valorization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomass
  • Catalysis
  • Chlorides / chemistry
  • Conservation of Energy Resources
  • Electrodes
  • Electrolysis
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry
  • Glucaric Acid / analysis*
  • Glucaric Acid / chemistry
  • Glucose / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen / analysis*
  • Hydrogen / chemistry
  • Hydroxides / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nickel / chemistry
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Urea / chemistry

Substances

  • Chlorides
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Hydroxides
  • Nickel
  • Hydrogen
  • Urea
  • hydroxide ion
  • Glucose
  • Glucaric Acid
  • ferric chloride