Selective electroreduction of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol on a mixed carbon-black activated carbon electrode and a mixed carbon black-diamond electrode

Lee, Ching Shya and Aroua, Mohamed Kheireddine and Daud, Wan Ashri Wan and Cognet, Patrick and Pérès, Yolande and Ajeel, Mohammed A. (2018) Selective electroreduction of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol on a mixed carbon-black activated carbon electrode and a mixed carbon black-diamond electrode. BioResources, 13 (1). pp. 115-130. ISSN 1930-2126

Abstract

1,2-propanediol was selectively produced by electroreduction of glycerol in a two-compartment reactor. Two new kinds of cathode electrodes were evaluated: (i) mixed carbon black-activated carbon electrodes and (ii) mixed carbon black-diamond electrodes. These electrodes were compared with a conventional platinum electrode. With a reaction temperature of 80°C, an electric current of 2.0 A, and ambient pressure, the mixed carbon black-activated carbon electrode demonstrated excellent performance and successfully reduced glycerol to 1,2-propanediol with a high selectivity of 86% and 74% glycerol conversion. The selectivity of 1,2-propanediol on the mixed carbon black-diamond electrode and the platinum electrode was 68% and 61%, respectively, with 88% glycerol conversion on the mixed carbon black-diamond electrode and 67% glycerol conversion on the platinum electrode. The authors propose a possible reaction mechanism for the formation of 1,2-PDO.