Transforming Electrocatalytic Biomass Upgrading and Hydrogen Production from Electricity Input to Electricity Output

Integrating biomass upgrading and hydrogen production in an electrocatalytic system is attractive both environmentally and in terms of sustainability. Conventional electrolyser systems coupling anodic biosubstrate electrooxidation with hydrogen evolution reaction usually require electricity input. Herein, we describe the development of an electrocatalytic system for simultaneous biomass upgrading, hydrogen production, and electricity generation. In contrast to conventional furfural electrooxidation, the employed low-potential furfural oxidation enabled the hydrogen atom of the aldehyde group to be released as gaseous hydrogen at the anode at a low potential of approximately 0V(RHE) (vs. RHE). The integrated electrocatalytic system could generate electricity of about 2kWh per cubic meter of hydrogen produced. This study may provide a transformative technology to convert electrocatalytic biomass upgrading and hydrogen production from a process requiring electricity input into a process to generate electricity.

Automated summary

Integrating biomass upgrading and hydrogen production in an electrocatalytic system has both environmental and sustainability advantages. A novel electrocatalytic system has been developed for simultaneous biomass upgrading, hydrogen production, and electricity generation. Low-potential furfural oxidation enables the release of hydrogen atoms from the aldehyde group as gaseous hydrogen, resulting in the generation of approximately 2 kWh of electricity.