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Ag Electrodeposited on Cu Open‐Cell Foams for the Selective Electroreduction of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Author(s) -
Sanghez de Luna Giancosimo,
Ho Phuoc Hoang,
Lolli Alice,
Ospitali Francesca,
Albonetti Stefania,
Fornasari Giuseppe,
Benito Patricia
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201902161
Subject(s) - electrolyte , chemical engineering , faraday efficiency , furan , hydroxymethyl , foil method , electrochemistry , selectivity , materials science , chemistry , catalysis , electrode , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering
The electrocatalytic conversion of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a biomass platform molecule, to 2,5‐bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF), a polymer precursor, is a fully sustainable route that operates at room temperature and pressure, using water as source of hydrogen, and avoids high H 2 pressures. In this work, we investigate the use of 3D electrocatalysts, made by Ag 0 electrodeposited on Cu open‐cell foams (Ag/Cu), to improve the efficiency in the electrochemical conversion of HMF to BHMF in basic media at different HMF concentrations. For comparison purposes, Ag and Cu bulk foams as well as Ag, Cu and Ag/Cu foil counterparts are investigated. For diluted 0.02 M HMF solutions, BHMF is selectively produced at high HMF conversion and FE over Ag/Cu foams. The large surface area of 3D Ag/Cu foams, compared to their 2D counterparts, does not affect selectivity, but increases the rate of conversion and in turn the productivity. However, it would appear that the increase in the surface area is not enough to increase the efficiency in the conversion of more concentrated HMF electrolytes (0.05–0.50 M). The productivity of Ag/Cu is modified with electrocatalytic cycles.