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Abstract
Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol represents a sustainable approach to utilizing renewable energy for producing bio-based platform chemicals. However, low Faraday efficiencies (FEs) and the use of organic solvents with high environmental impacts often render the process less sustainable than classical catalytic hydrogenation. In this study, a two-compartment and three-electrode setup at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, featuring various electrodes (Ag, Au, CP, Cu, Pt, Sn, and a gold-coated silver wire (AucAg)), and biomass-derived electrolytes (acetic acid, levulinic acid, and sodium acetate), was tested. AucAg, serving as an electrocatalyst with 1 M sodium acetate as electrolyte, exhibited the best combination of FE and furfuryl alcohol yield with 82% and 37%, respectively. The optimum conditions were achieved at 100 rpm and −0.8 V vs. RHE. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyzes indicated no significant influence of the substances on the working electrode during the reaction. Since the identity of the cation of the electrolyte influences the electrode-electrolyte microenvironment, multiple alkali metals were trialed. Sodium ion as the counter ion emerged on top, surpassing potassium, and cesium ions for the electroreduction of furfural to furfuryl alcohol. This preference could be attributed to the competing hydrogen evolution reaction favored by Cs over K and Na. In this perspective, the highlights of a bioelectrorefinery concept for creating a bio-derived platform chemical in a sustainable solvent with green electrons are demonstrated and optimized.
Supplementary materials
Title
Supporting Information
Description
All CA experiments involving the different types of electrodes, including their geometric surface areas, potentials, used reactants, and electrolytes along with their corresponding concentrations and stirrer speeds, can be found in the Supporting Information (SI). The Faraday efficiencies, initial and final furfural concentrations, as well as the furfuryl alcohol concentrations with the yields of furfuryl alcohol, are listed in the SI. Additionally, the linear sweep voltammetry curves of the different working electrodes in combination with the three electrolyte solutions are depicted in the supplementary figures.
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