Continuous flow <scp>pH</scp> ‐asymmetric paired electrosynthesis enabled by bipolar membrane electrolyzer

Abstract Paired electrosynthesis enables simultaneous electrocatalytic oxidation (ECO) and hydrogenation (ECH) of cinnamyl alcohol. However, the pH‐asymmetric configuration between alkaline ECO and acidic ECH limits integration. Herein, a bipolar‐membrane (BPM) electrolyzer was constructed using Ni‐loaded porous carbon nanobowls graphite felt (Ni/PCBs/GF) and Pd‐loaded PCBs (Pd/PCBs/GF) to perform ECO and ECH in their respective optimal environments. The hollow PCB structure improves mass transport and active‐site exposure, enhancing catalytic activity. The Ni/PCBs/GF achieved a cinnamaldehyde yield of 98.0%, while Pd/PCBs/GF attained 99.0% selectivity toward 3‐phenylpropanol. In situ spectroscopy and DFT indicated Ni heterointerface reconstruction that promotes (4‐acetamido‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl) ACT adsorption and electron–hole mediation, and Pd electronic redistribution that activates Pd sites for CC hydrogenation. The scaled‐up BPM electrolyzer reached space–time yields of 12.79 and 7.02 kg·m −3 ·h −1 at the alkaline anode and acidic cathode, demonstrating effective co‐production under disparate conditions. This study advances paired electrosynthesis by harmonizing anodic–cathodic conditions, enabling energy‐efficient co‐production of value‐added chemicals.

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Publication Details

Journal
AIChE Journal
Published
2026-01-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.70259
Primary Topic
Catalysis for Biomass Conversion
Type
article
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article

Continuous flow pH ‐asymmetric paired electrosynthesis enabled by bipolar membrane electrolyzer

Zhenyang Dong, Yuhang Wang, Yi-Xiang Wang, Ruiyang Liang et al.
AIChE Journal
Catalysis for Biomass Conversion
article

Continuous flow pH ‐asymmetric paired electrosynthesis enabled by bipolar membrane electrolyzer

Zhenyang Dong, Yuhang Wang, Yi-Xiang Wang, Ruiyang Liang, Xueqin Cao, Chuang Qi, Jiahui He, Pan Hu, Kai Li, Lihao Liu, Xing Zhong
article en

Abstract

Abstract Paired electrosynthesis enables simultaneous electrocatalytic oxidation (ECO) and hydrogenation (ECH) of cinnamyl alcohol. However, the pH‐asymmetric configuration between alkaline ECO and acidic ECH limits integration. Herein, a bipolar‐membrane (BPM) electrolyzer was constructed using Ni‐loaded porous carbon nanobowls graphite felt (Ni/PCBs/GF) and Pd‐loaded PCBs (Pd/PCBs/GF) to perform ECO and ECH in their respective optimal environments. The hollow PCB structure improves mass transport and active‐site exposure, enhancing catalytic activity. The Ni/PCBs/GF achieved a cinnamaldehyde yield of 98.0%, while Pd/PCBs/GF attained 99.0% selectivity toward 3‐phenylpropanol. In situ spectroscopy and DFT indicated Ni heterointerface reconstruction that promotes (4‐acetamido‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl) ACT adsorption and electron–hole mediation, and Pd electronic redistribution that activates Pd sites for CC hydrogenation. The scaled‐up BPM electrolyzer reached space–time yields of 12.79 and 7.02 kg·m −3 ·h −1 at the alkaline anode and acidic cathode, demonstrating effective co‐production under disparate conditions. This study advances paired electrosynthesis by harmonizing anodic–cathodic conditions, enabling energy‐efficient co‐production of value‐added chemicals.

AIChE Journal
Jiaxing University (CN), Zhejiang University of Technology (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 77%
Catalysis for Biomass Conversion
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