Hydrogen and chemicals from alcohols through electrochemical reforming by Pd-CeO2/C electrocatalyst

Abstract

The development of low-cost and sustainable hydrogen production is of primary importance for a future transition to sustainable energy. In this work, the selective and simultaneous production of pure hydrogen and chemicals from renewable alcohols is achieved using an anion exchange membrane electrolysis cell (electrochemical reforming) employing a nanostructured Pd-CeO2/C anode. The catalyst exhibits high activity for alcohol electrooxidation (e.g. 474 mA cm−2 with EtOH at 60 °C) and the electrolysis cell produces high volumes of hydrogen (1.73 l min−1 m−2) at low electrical energy input (Ecost = 6 kWh kgH2−1 with formate as substrate). A complete analysis of the alcohol oxidation products from several alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1,2-propandiol, ethylene glycol, glycerol and 1,4-butanediol) shows high selectivity in the formation of valuable chemicals such as acetate from ethanol (100%) and lactate from 1,2-propandiol (84%). Importantly for industrial application, in batch experiments the Pd-CeO2/C catalyst achieves conversion efficiencies above 80% for both formate and methanol, and 95% for ethanol.