A Multifunctional Electrocatalyst for Formate Production with Concurrent Hydrogen Evolution and Electrochemical Hydrogenation of Glucose to Sorbitol
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract Electrochemical valorization of biomass-derived glucose offers a promising route for the sustainable coproduction of valuable chemicals and green hydrogen, yet hinges on the development of cost-effective, multifunctional catalysts. Here, we report a noble metal-free core–shell catalyst, Cu@CoFe2O4, that drives both anodic glucose oxidation and cathodic hydrogen evolution or glucose hydrogenation in a single system. In alkaline media (1 M KOH), the catalyst achieves a glucose conversion of 97.5% with a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 91.2% toward formate at 1.3 V vs RHE, while enabling hydrogen evolution with 100% FE. In a neutral electrolyte (0.1 M Na2SO4), the same electrode facilitates the selective electrochemical reduction of glucose to sorbitol with an FE of 87.5% and 76% conversion at −0.4 V vs RHE. Experimental and computational analyses suggest that the Cu-rich core/CoFe2O4-rich shell-like heterostructure enhances charge transfer and provides complementary active sites, contributing to the observed activity toward both glucose oxidation and hydrogenation pathways. This work highlights a versatile, earth-abundant electrocatalytic platform for biomass conversion and sustainable hydrogen generation.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · Catalysis for Biomass Conversion · CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Catalonia Institute for Energy Research−IREC , Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, 2a pl. ,
Universitat de Barcelona , , Carrer de Martí i Franquès , ,
Chongqing University of Technology , , ,
Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology ICN2 , CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra , , ,
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, EEBE , , Eduard Maristany 10-14 , ,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia , , Ciudad Universitaria , ,
ICREA Pg. Lluis Companys , , ,
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , , Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria , ,
Funding
Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci?n y Universidades · NextGenerationEU · Generalitat de Catalunya · Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnolog?as · Direcci?n General de Asuntos del Personal Acad?mico, Universidad Nacional Aut?noma de M?xico · European Regional Development Fund · CERCA Programme / Generalitat de Catalunya · CSC-UAB PhD scholarship program · e-DREAM · Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Colombia · Universitat Aut?noma de Barcelona Materials Science PhD program
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