Tuning the selectivity of biomass oxidation over oxygen evolution on NiO–OH electrodes

Laxman Gouda,Thomas Moehl,Francisco Fabregat-Santiago,Elena Mas-Marzá,S David Tilley,Laurent Sévery,Pardis Adams

doi:10.1039/d1gc02031e

Abstract

Small cation size along with removal of trace iron from the electrolyte solution enables the practical use of earth-abundant nickel oxide electrodes for selective oxidation of organic molecules over water in aqueous solutions.

Highlights

IntroductionNatural photosynthesis is sufficient to supply the global requirements of the chemical industry
Electrifying organic synthesis has undergone a revival in the last few decades, emerging as a green method for industrial scale chemical synthesis with low pollution impact.[1]
Electrosynthesis proceeds with coupled oxidation and reduction reactions on two electrodes, which is similar to the electrolysis of water with the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode.[2]

Summary

Introduction

Natural photosynthesis is sufficient to supply the global requirements of the chemical industry. There are several ways to convert HMF into FDCA, such as aerobic oxidation, thermal treatment, and high temperature catalytic oxidation These methods are sufficient to reach a large industrial scale, the long processing time, high operating temperatures, and by-product formation make these processes cost-inefficient.[16,17] An alternative approach is electrochemical oxidation, where HMF oxidation is driven by electrical potential, eliminating the use of chemical oxidants for the process.[18] Considering its potential for low cost, high yield and the scalability of this method, the electrocatalytic approach to biomass oxidation has attracted notable attention.[19] Electrosynthesis coupled with HER presents an elegant solution to provide renewable hydrogen for the chemical industry along with the synthesis of valuable biomass-derived chemical products.[10,20]. HMF is converted to DFF (diformyl furan) or HFCA (hydroxymethyl furan carboxylic acid), which are further oxidized to FFCA (formyl furan carboxylic acid) and to FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid)

Results and discussion

Conflicts of interest

Conclusions