Photoelectrochemistry-driven selective hydroxyl oxidation of polyols: Synergy between Au nanoparticles and C3N4 nanosheets

Selective and efficient oxidation of a certain hydroxyl group in biomass-derived polyols is quite appealing but challenging. We herein propose a new photoelectrochemical strategy for enhancing the selectivity and kinetics of the middle hydroxyl oxidation in glycerol molecules using Au/C3N4 catalyst. The introduction of illumination and usage of C3N4 are first demonstrated to have a direct bearing on enhancing the selectivity of middle hydroxyl oxidation on Au through the electron transfer and accelerating the kinetics by accumulating photogenerated holes withmoderate oxidizability. By this strategy, the selectivity of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone and turnover frequency are achieved as high as 53.7% and unprecedented 4,619 h(-1). The synergy of electronic interaction, localized surface plasmon resonance effect, and photogenerated carriers dual injection is revealed to account for such high selectivity and kinetics of the middle hydroxyl oxidation during the photoelectrochemical process. Our results sheds light on the photoelectrocatalysis-driven selective hydroxyl oxidation in polyols.

Automated summary

A new photoelectrochemical strategy using Au/C3N4 catalyst has been proposed to enhance the selectivity and kinetics of middle hydroxyl oxidation in glycerol molecules. By introducing illumination and utilizing C3N4, high selectivity to dihydroxyacetone and unprecedented turnover frequency were achieved. The synergy of electronic interaction, localized surface plasmon resonance effect, and photogenerated carriers dual injection plays a key role in enhancing the selectivity and kinetics of the oxidation process.