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Deterioration of Aqueous n‐ Octanoate Electrolysis with Electrolytic Conductivity Collapse Caused by the Formation of n ‐Octanoic Acid/ n ‐Octanoate Agglomerates
Author(s) -
Urban Carolin,
Harnisch Falk
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201700069
Subject(s) - electrolysis , electrolyte , agglomerate , aqueous solution , cyclic voltammetry , chemistry , conductivity , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , solubility , materials science , electrode , electrochemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
Electroorganic synthesis performed in water (as a green solvent) bears potential for the selective production of chemicals from renewable power. Yet, the limited solubility of organic molecules hampers their aqueous electrolysis. For the proposed platform chemical n‐ octanoic acid/ n ‐octanoate, both summarized as C 8 , it is shown that the aqueous electrolysis of C 8 can be performed successfully, provided that certain requirements are fulfilled. It is evidenced that the often‐overlooked local pH shift in the proximity of the electrode can lead to the formation of large C 8 agglomerates (e. g. vesicles, bilayers), which deteriorate the electrolysis by minimizing the electrolytic conductivity. It is stressed that pH‐buffering electrolytes have to be preferred to pH‐neutral supporting electrolytes for C 8 electrolysis to achieve improved space−time yields. Cyclic voltammetry, particle‐size analysis through dynamic light scattering, and light microscopy characterize the nature of these agglomerates.