Anodic electrocatalytic conversion of carboxylic acids on thin films of RuO2, IrO2, and Pt

Abstract

The electrocatalytic upgrading of carboxylic acids, abundant biomass-derived molecules, remains a challenging task. Herein, we report an electrocatalytic decarboxylation (ECDX) approach for the conversion of carboxylic acids into paraffins, olefins, and alcohols via (non-)Kolbe electrolysis on thin films (TFs). The ECDX rate, product selectivity, and current efficiency were potential and electrode dependent. For example, the ECDX activity of RuO2-TF was similar to that of Pt foil, but the selectivity to Kolbe products was lower on the former. RuO2-TF showed about five times higher rates for the oxygen evolution reaction than Pt foil, which resulted in lower current efficiency. The ECDX and O2 evolution activities of IrO2-TF were potential dependent, but this electrode was selective to non-Kolbe products with low current efficiency (<10 %). This work highlights the performance of thin films as an alternative to bulk metals as anodes for oxidative upgrading of carboxylic acids.