Electroreduction offers an alternative to traditional chemical synthesis methods for fuels and chemicals that can be performed in benign reaction conditions (at or near room temperature and pressure) and does not require externally-supplied hydrogen. Additionally, with the emerging renewable electricity generation market where intermittent excess electricity is generated, electroreductions can be performed at relatively low costs. Copper catalysts have a unique balance between being active for electroreduction reactions towards carbonaceous fuels and chemicals but less active for the undesired competing reaction of hydrogen evolution. This will be illustrated using two electroreduction systems – carbon dioxide electroreduction to hydrocarbons and other chemicals, and furfural electrochemical hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis (ECH) to fuels and chemicals. In CO<sub>2</sub> electroreduction, copper is known as the only metal to produce significant quantities of hydrocarbons. By tuning the morphology, the selectivity of products can be tuned between ethylene and methane. In furfural ECH, both 2-methyl furan and furfural alcohol can be formed over copper electrodes. By tuning the reaction conditions of pH, electrolyte and duration of reaction, the product selectivity can be tuned. Additionally the formation of undesired humins and polymerization products can be avoided.

Copper electrocatalysis for synthesis of fuels and chemicals

254th National Meeting (2017)

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