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

Author

Listed:
  • Hao Dong

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering)

  • Ran Luo

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Campus of Tianjin University)

  • 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
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education)

  • Guodong Sun

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Campus of Tianjin University)

  • Hongyi Wang

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education)

  • Jiachang Liu

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education)

  • Tuo Wang

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education
    Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations
    Tianjin University)

  • Zhi-Jian Zhao

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education
    Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations
    Tianjin University)

  • Peng Zhang

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Campus of Tianjin University
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education
    Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations)

  • Jinlong Gong

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Campus of Tianjin University
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education
    Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Hao Dong & Ran Luo & Gong Zhang & Lulu Li & Chaoxi Wang & Guodong Sun & Hongyi Wang & Jiachang Liu & Tuo Wang & Zhi-Jian Zhao & Peng Zhang & Jinlong Gong, 2025. "Electrochemical epoxidation enhanced by C2H4 activation and hydroxyl generation at the Ag/SnO2 interface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57223-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57223-9
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