A Novel Electrode for Value‐Generating Anode Reactions in Water Electrolyzers at Industrial Current Densities

Abstract

Hydrogen generated in electrolyzers is discussed as a key element in future energy scenarios, but oxygen evolution as the standard anode reaction is a complex multi‐step reaction requiring a high overpotential. At the same time,it does not add value‐the oxygen is typically released into the atmosphere. Alternative anode reactions which can proceed at similar current densities as the hydrogen evolution are, therefore, of highest interest. We have discovered a high‐performance electrode based on earth‐abundant elements synthesized in the presence of H2O2, which is able to sustain current densities of close to 1 A cm−2 for the oxidation of many organic molecules, which are partly needed at high production volumes. Such anode reactions could generate additional revenue streams, which help to solve one of the most important problems in the transition to renewable energy systems, i.e. the cost of hydrogen electrolysis.

Coupled Electrochemical Processes as Versatile Route for Converting Waste Substrates into Value Added Chemical Products

“…Also, for the furfural family a great variety of electrochemical reaction exists, which has been reviewed elsewhere [74,75] . Especially, the electrooxidation of HMF to furandicarboxylic acid is heavily investigated [76–78] . Nevertheless, coupled processes starting from real‐world waste and utilizing the furfurals as intermediates are scarce.…”