【Frontiers in HaiChuan Chemical Technology】University of Mainz develops new glycerol electrolysis technology for zero-carbon co-production of formate and hydrogen

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Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has developed a new glycerol electrolysis technique that enables zero-carbon co-production of formate and hydrogen. An electrolysis technology developed by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) could make a significant contribution to the electrification of the chemical industry. 　　JGU researchers have proposed a new method to convert waste byproduct glycerol into high-value raw materials such as formate and hydrogen. Formates are salts of formic acid and are widely used in the chemical industry ； Hydrogen can serve as an energy carrier, for example, for powering vehicles. This method can operate using renewable electricity and produces no carbon dioxide. The relevant research findings were recently published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials. 　　Professor Carsten Streb from the Department of Chemistry at JGU (the leader of this research) said: The method we have proposed holds the potential to make a significant contribution to the electrification of the chemical industry. This is the key driving force behind large-scale commercial development, and it can effectively reduce industrial CO₂ emissions. Currently, many processes that rely heavily on oil or natural gas can in the future be powered by sustainable electricity. 　　This new process is based on the established water electrolysis technology, which uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The research team employed so-called \"hybrid electrolysis\", introducing glycerol as a raw material in addition to water – glycerol being a by-product generated in large quantities during biodiesel production. In this way, the second product formed during the electrolysis process is no longer oxygen, but the corresponding formate. 　　Currently, formates in industry mainly come from the petroleum route, and this process involves significant CO₂ emissions. 　　Streb added, “If green electricity is used, the electrochemical production of formate from glycerol can achieve true CO₂ neutrality.” From a chemical standpoint, this work achieves the decomposition of glycerol, which has a three-carbon skeleton, into formate containing only a single carbon atom. ”　　The core of this process is an innovative catalyst developed by researchers. At the molecular level, this catalyst binds copper and palladium metals together tightly. 　　Streb pointed out, “We have not only successfully prepared this catalyst, but we also have a clear understanding of its mechanism of action and know how to further optimize its performance.” ”　　Next, Streb’s team plans to try replacing the expensive precious metal palladium with metals that are more abundant in the Earth’s crust. At the same time, they also hope to develop a new method to further convert formate into methanol – this step holds great potential for application since the market demand for methanol is much higher than that for formate; this process could be achieved by introducing a second reduction electrolysis step. 　　This research falls under JGU’s top research area “SusInnoScience” (Sustainable Chemical Innovation in the Science of Efficient Resources for the Anthropocene), a project aimed at developing sustainable chemical and biotechnological production processes, funded by the research program of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. 　　Furthermore, this achievement is also part of the \"Sustainable Processes and Materials\" project of the Rhine-Main University Alliance (JGU, Goethe University Frankfurt, Technical University of Darmstadt). It is worth mentioning that the 5 postdocs involved in the research were funded by the Humboldt Foundation. 　　Streb concluded, “This is an international cooperation project, and the Humboldt Foundation has helped us attract top talents from around the world, playing a crucial role in advancing the research.” ”