Chloride-mediated selective electrosynthesis of ethylene and propylene oxides at high current density

Chemicals manufacturing consumes large amounts of energy and is responsible for a substantial portion of global carbon emissions. Electrochemical systems that produce the desired compounds by using renewable electricity offer a route to lower carbon emissions in the chemicals sector. Ethylene oxide is among the world's most abundantly produced commodity chemicals because of its importance in the plastics industry, notably for manufacturing polyesters and polyethylene terephthalates. We applied an extended heterogeneous:homogeneous interface, using chloride as a redox mediator at the anode, to facilitate the selective partial oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide. We achieved current densities of 1 ampere per…

• CI
  Canadian Institute for Advanced Research

  Award: FS20-154 APPT.2378
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

  Award: RGPIN-2017-06477