Alcohols electrooxidation coupled with H2 production at high current densities promoted by a cooperative catalyst

Abstract Electrochemical alcohols oxidation offers a promising approach to produce valuable chemicals and facilitate coupled H 2 production. However, the corresponding current density is very low at moderate cell potential that substantially limits the overall productivity. Here we report the electrooxidation of benzyl alcohol coupled with H 2 production at high current density (540 mA cm −2 at 1.5 V vs . RHE) over a cooperative catalyst of Au nanoparticles supported on cobalt oxyhydroxide nanosheets (Au/CoOOH). The absolute current can further reach 4.8 A at 2.0 V in a more realistic two-electrode membrane-free flow electrolyzer. Experimental combined with theoretical results indicate that the benzyl alcohol…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 22090031, BL1W1B, 21991102, buctrc202011, 2214063, 22108008, 21978147, 21935001
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Awards: 22090031, 2214063, buctrc202011
• BS
  Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility