Electrochemical epoxidation enhanced by C2H4 activation and hydroxyl generation at the Ag/SnO2 interface

Hao Dong, Ran Luo, Gong Zhang, Lulu Li, Chaoxi Wang, Guodong Sun, Hongyi Wang, Jiachang Liu, Tuo Wang, Zhi-Jian Zhao, Peng Zhang () and Jinlong Gong ()
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Hao Dong: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Ran Luo: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Gong Zhang: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Lulu Li: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Chaoxi Wang: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Guodong Sun: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Hongyi Wang: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Jiachang Liu: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Tuo Wang: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Zhi-Jian Zhao: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Peng Zhang: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
Jinlong Gong: Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Direct electrochemical ethylene (C2H4) epoxidation with water (H2O) represents a promising approach for the production of value-added ethylene oxide (EO) in a sustainable way. However, the activity remains limited due to the sluggish activation of C2H4 and the stiff formation of *OH intermediate. This paper describes the design of a Ag/SnO2 electrocatalyst to achieve efficient electrochemical C2H4 epoxidation with a high faradaic efficiency of 39.4% for EO and a high selectivity of 91.5% at 25 mA/cm2 in a membrane electrode assembly. Results of in situ attenuated total reflection infrared spectra characterizations and computational calculations reveal that the Ag/SnO2 interface promotes C2H4 adsorption and activation to obtain *C2H4. Moreover, electrophilic *OH is generated on the catalyst surface through H2O dissociation, which further reacts with *C2H4 to facilitate the formation of *C2H4OH, contributing to the enhanced electrochemical epoxidation activity. This work would provide general guidance for designing catalysts for electrochemical olefin epoxidation through interface engineering.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57223-9

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