Recent Progress in Electrocatalytic Glycerol Oxidation

Glycerol, as the major by-product of biodiesel, can be oxidized into diverse value-added chemical products via either traditional chemical methods or electrochemical routes. Electrocatalytic glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) driven by renewable-derived electricity (e.g., wind and solar) is a promising pathway for fine chemicals production. In an electrochemical cell, GOR can be coupled with various cathodic reactions, including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR); in this manner, different benefits of either energy effectiveness or additional value-added products can be obtained depending on the cathode reduction reaction selected. Comprehensively understanding of electrocatalytic GOR and the associated processes is of great significance to promote its industrial application. Herein, recent progress of GOR is focused on. The background of biomass-derived glycerol valorization to energy and value-added chemicals as well as the electrochemical conversion techniques via GOR is introduced. Then, the electrocatalytic reaction pathways, the potential application of GOR, and the measurement method for products are also discussed and summarized. Special emphasis is put on the design and the development of high-selectivity and high-activity electrocatalysts for GOR. Finally, the challenges and the future prospects in the fields of GOR are highlighted.

Automated summary

This article discusses the electrocatalytic mechanism and processes of glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR), focusing on how glycerol can be converted into valuable chemical products. By selecting different cathodic reactions, different product values and energy benefits can be obtained. The main challenge for the future is to design high-selectivity and high-activity electrocatalysts.