Abstract
AbstractSelective oxidation of alcohols to the carboxylic acid plays an important role in the production of valuable chemicals. Herein, NiCo hydroxide (NiCo(OOH)x) nanosheets with a thickness of ~4 nm were controllably fabricated in a facile way efficient for the electrooxidation of benzyl alcohol (BAL) to benzoic acid (BAD). Mechanistic studies confirmed the hydroxyl active intermediate (OH*) generated on the surface of NiCo(OOH)x nanosheets through operando electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis during the electrooxidation process. Importantly, we discovered that the OH* was crucial to boost the selective oxidation of BAL by attacking the hydroxyl end group to achieve carboxylic acid. The early onset potential of 1.16 VRHE in the presence of BAL was below 1.23 VRHE for oxygen evolution reaction. The rotating ring‐disk electrode further revealed that the electrocatalytic BAL oxidation reaction occurred earlier in the oxygen evolution reaction. In 150 mM BAL, NiCo(OOH)x nanosheets generated a high BAD selectivity of >99% and full conversion of BAL in 3 h. The experimental and theoretical calculation revealed that the dominant pathway of BAL oxidation was the interaction between nucleophilic BAL with OH* to form BAL‐OH* directly by dehydrogenates, thereby producing BAD with high efficiency. This research sheds mechanism insights on the electrocatalytic alcohols oxidation reaction.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
