Electrocatalytic Glycerol Oxidation in Alkaline Media
Summary
Glycerol, a triol by-product of biodiesel manufacture, presents an abundant renewable feedstock for the sustainable production of chemicals and energy. In alkaline media, electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerol proceeds at lower overpotentials than in acidic conditions, enabling enhanced reaction rates and selectivity towards value-added C3 products such as glyceric acid, dihydroxyacetone and glyceraldehyde. The process relies on tailor-made electrocatalysts—ranging from noble-metal alloys to earth-abundant metal oxides—that mediate electron transfer and stabilise key intermediates while minimising surface poisoning by reaction fragments. Reaction parameters including pH, applied potential and electrolyte composition dictate the adsorption of hydroxyl species and govern competitive pathways of C–C bond cleavage versus partial oxidation. Advances in in situ spectroscopies and computational modelling have begun to unravel mechanistic details, guiding the rational design of catalysts that deliver high activity, selectivity and stability. This technology holds promise for integration into alkaline direct glycerol fuel cells and for the coproduction of hydrogen alongside fine chemicals, contributing to circular-economy strategies in the chemical industry.
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Electrocatalytic Glycerol Oxidation in Alkaline Media publication trend
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Technical terms
Electrocatalysis: Acceleration of electrochemical reactions at an electrode surface by a catalyst that lowers the activation energy.
Overpotential: Extra potential required beyond the thermodynamic voltage to drive an electrochemical reaction at a practical rate.
Faradaic efficiency: Proportion of electrons that contribute to the desired electrochemical reaction relative to total electrons passed.
C–C bond cleavage: Breaking of carbon–carbon bonds, a pathway that can lead to smaller molecules or undesirable by-products.
Onset potential: The electrode potential at which a measurable current for the target reaction begins to flow.
References
- Electrochemical and Non-Electrochemical Pathways in the Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Monosaccharides and Related Sugar Alcohols into Valuable Products. Chemical Reviews (2024).
- Glycerol Electro-Oxidation in Alkaline Media and Alkaline Direct Glycerol Fuel Cells. Catalysts (2019).
- Mechanistic Origins of the pH Dependency in Au-Catalyzed Glycerol Electro-oxidation: Insight from First-Principles Calculations. ACS Catalysis (2021).
- Role of Ni in PtNi Bimetallic Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen and Value-Added Chemicals Coproduction via Glycerol Electrooxidation. ACS Catalysis (2022).
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