Ag Electrodeposited on Cu Open‐Cell Foams for the Selective Electroreduction of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural. Issue 5 (11th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sanghez de Luna, Giancosimo; Ho, Phuoc Hoang; Lolli, Alice; Ospitali, Francesca; Albonetti, Stefania; Fornasari, Giuseppe; Benito, Patricia
• Is Part Of: ChemElectroChem. Volume 7:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 1238
• Page End: 1247
• Publication Date: 2020-03-11
• Subjects: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural -- 2, 5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)furan -- Electrocatalyst -- Ag/Cu -- Foam; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1002/celc.201902161
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-0216

Abstract

Abstract: 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 H2 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. Abstract : Not only the electroactive surface area matters : 3D electrocatalysts made by Ag nanoparticles electrodeposited on Cu open‐cell foams largely increase the productivity in the conversion of diluted 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural to 2, 5‐bis(hydroxymethyl)furan. While the large electroactive surface area is not enough to avoid the hydrofuroin by‐product formation.