Room-temperature electrochemical acetylene reduction to ethylene with high conversion and selectivity

The selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene in ethylene-rich gas streams is an important process in the manufacture of polyethylene. Conventional thermal hydrogenation routes require temperatures above 100 degrees C and excess hydrogen to achieve a satisfactory C2H2 conversion efficiency. Here, we report a room-temperature electrochemical acetylene reduction system based on a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-derived copper catalyst that offers an ethylene Faradaic efficiency of up to similar to 80% and inhibits alkane and hydrogen formation. The system affords an acetylene conversion of over 99.9% at a flow rate of 50 ml min(-1) in a simulated gas feed, yielding high-purity ethylene with an ethylene/acetylene volume ratio exceeding 10(5) and negligible residual hydrogen (0.08 vol.%). These acetylene conversion metrics are superior to most other state-of-the-art strategies. The findings therefore conclusively demonstrate an electrochemical strategy as a viable alternative to current technologies for acetylene-to-ethylene conversions with potential advantages in energy and atom economies.

Automated summary

An electrochemical acetylene reduction system based on a layered double hydroxide-derived copper catalyst has been developed for efficient ethylene production at room temperature, achieving high ethylene Faradaic efficiency and inhibiting alkane and hydrogen formation. The system demonstrates superior acetylene conversion metrics and offers potential advantages in energy and atom economies, making it a viable alternative to current technologies for acetylene-to-ethylene conversions.