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Dual hydrogen production from electrocatalytic water reduction coupled with formaldehyde oxidation via a copper-silver electrocatalyst

Author

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  • Guodong Li

    (University of Cincinnati)

  • Guanqun Han

    (University of Cincinnati)

  • Lu Wang

    (University of California Riverside)

  • Xiaoyu Cui

    (University of Cincinnati)

  • Nicole K. Moehring

    (Vanderbilt University
    Vanderbilt University
    Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering)

  • Piran R. Kidambi

    (Vanderbilt University
    Vanderbilt University
    Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering)

  • De-en Jiang

    (University of California Riverside
    Vanderbilt University)

  • Yujie Sun

    (University of Cincinnati)

Abstract

The broad employment of water electrolysis for hydrogen (H2) production is restricted by its large voltage requirement and low energy conversion efficiency because of the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we report a strategy to replace OER with a thermodynamically more favorable reaction, the partial oxidation of formaldehyde to formate under alkaline conditions, using a Cu3Ag7 electrocatalyst. Such a strategy not only produces more valuable anodic product than O2 but also releases H2 at the anode with a small voltage input. Density functional theory studies indicate the H2C(OH)O intermediate from formaldehyde hydration can be better stabilized on Cu3Ag7 than on Cu or Ag, leading to a lower C-H cleavage barrier. A two-electrode electrolyzer employing an electrocatalyst of Cu3Ag7(+)||Ni3N/Ni(–) can produce H2 at both anode and cathode simultaneously with an apparent 200% Faradaic efficiency, reaching a current density of 500 mA/cm2 with a cell voltage of only 0.60 V.

Suggested Citation

  • Guodong Li & Guanqun Han & Lu Wang & Xiaoyu Cui & Nicole K. Moehring & Piran R. Kidambi & De-en Jiang & Yujie Sun, 2023. "Dual hydrogen production from electrocatalytic water reduction coupled with formaldehyde oxidation via a copper-silver electrocatalyst," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-36142-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36142-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fuzhan Song & Wei Li & Jiaqi Yang & Guanqun Han & Peilin Liao & Yujie Sun, 2018. "Interfacing nickel nitride and nickel boosts both electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kai Shi & Di Si & Xue Teng & Lisong Chen & Jianlin Shi, 2024. "Pd/NiMoO4/NF electrocatalysts for the efficient and ultra-stable synthesis and electrolyte-assisted extraction of glycolate," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Guodong Fu & Xiaomin Kang & Yan Zhang & Ying Guo & Zhiwei Li & Jianwen Liu & Lei Wang & Jiujun Zhang & Xian-Zhu Fu & Jing-Li Luo, 2023. "Capturing critical gem-diol intermediates and hydride transfer for anodic hydrogen production from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Ming Yang & Yimin Jiang & Chung-Li Dong & Leitao Xu & Yutong Huang & Shifan Leng & Yandong Wu & Yongxiang Luo & Wei Chen & Ta Thi Thuy Nga & Shuangyin Wang & Yuqin Zou, 2024. "A self-reactivated PdCu catalyst for aldehyde electro-oxidation with anodic hydrogen production," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Jiachen Li & Yuqiang Ma & Cong Zhang & Chi Zhang & Huijun Ma & Zhaoqi Guo & Ning Liu & Ming Xu & Haixia Ma & Jieshan Qiu, 2023. "Green electrosynthesis of 3,3’-diamino-4,4’-azofurazan energetic materials coupled with energy-efficient hydrogen production over Pt-based catalysts," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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