A Cellulose Electrolysis Cell with Metal-Free Carbon Electrodes

Abstract

Biomass raw materials, including agricultural residues, collected weeds, and wood chips, are important feedstocks for hydrogen production. Numerous attempts have been made to electrolyze biomass directly or indirectly to hydrogen because these processes allow for the production of hydrogen with less power consumption than water electrolysis. However, expensive metal-based electrocatalysts are needed, especially for the cathode reaction, in the electrolysis cells. Results from the present study demonstrate the production of hydrogen directly from cellulose, using an optimal mesoporous carbon as the cathode in addition to a partially oxygenated carbon anode at a temperature of 150 °C, with an electrolysis onset voltage of ca. 0.2 V, a current density of 0.29 A cm−2 at an electrolysis voltage of 1 V, and a current efficiency of approximately 100% for hydrogen production. These characteristics were comparable to those recorded when using a Pt/C anode and cathode under the same conditions. The sp2 planes of the carbon allowed π electrons to be donated to protons at the cathode. In addition, the mesoporous structure provided a sufficient amount of sp2 planes on the surface of the cathode.

Photoelectrochemical Complete Decomposition of Cellulose for Electric Power Generation

“…Additionally, when the conditions in the cathodic chamber is appropriately adjusted (that is, O 2 dissolved in the catholyte is removed), the photoelectrochemical cell can generate hydrogen from the biomass resources rather than the electricity. [36] The intermediate products of the PEC cellulose decomposition were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [11] as summarized in Figure 6a. The carbonyl hydrocarbon chains, such as gluconic acid, oxalic acid, acetic acid, and formic acid, were observed as intermediate products dissolved in the liquid phase after the PEC reaction ( Figure S5).…”

“…Nevertheless, it can be concluded that the present PFC could successfully convert the energy of light and biomass (cellulose) into electricity. Additionally, when the conditions in the cathodic chamber is appropriately adjusted (that is, O 2 dissolved in the catholyte is removed), the photoelectrochemical cell can generate hydrogen from the biomass resources rather than the electricity [36] …”

Progress and Perspectives in Photo‐ and Electrochemical‐Oxidation of Biomass for Sustainable Chemicals and Hydrogen Production

“…Present as the most and second abundant source of biomass, cellulose, and lignin are considered the most attractive proton and carbon source due to their availability and low-cost. Biomass electrolysis of these raw feedstocks, lignin, [271][272][273][274][275] and cellulose [276,277] has therefore also been studied. Similar to methanol and ethanol electrolysis, the primary focus on lignin and cellulose electrolysis is H 2 production with less electricity consumption.…”

Lignin-Assisted Water Electrolysis for Energy-Saving Hydrogen Production With Ti/PbO2 as the Anode

“…Furthermore, the electrolysis temperature is a key factor for LAWE. At low temperatures, the conversion rate of lignin and the rate of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is generally low (Caravaca et al, 2019;Li et al, 2020). But both of them can be promoted evidently when the temperature is increased from ambient temperature to about 100 °C (Zirbes and Quadri, 2020).…”