Efficient electrochemical production of glucaric acid and H2 via glucose electrolysis

Wu-Jun Liu, Zhuoran Xu, Dongting Zhao, Xiao-Qiang Pan, Hong-Chao Li, Xiao Hu, Zhi-Yong Fan, Wei-Kang Wang, Guo-Hua Zhao, Song Jin, George W. Huber () and Han-Qing Yu ()
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Wu-Jun Liu: University of Science & Technology of China
Zhuoran Xu: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dongting Zhao: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Xiao-Qiang Pan: University of Science & Technology of China
Hong-Chao Li: University of Science & Technology of China
Xiao Hu: University of Science & Technology of China
Zhi-Yong Fan: Tongji University
Wei-Kang Wang: Tongji University
Guo-Hua Zhao: Tongji University
Song Jin: University of Wisconsin-Madison
George W. Huber: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Han-Qing Yu: University of Science & Technology of China

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14157-3

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