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Electrocatalytic oxidative dehydrogenation (EOD) of aldehydes enables ultra-low voltage, bipolar H2 production with co-generation of carboxylic acid. Herein, we reported a simple galvanic replacement method to prepare CuM (M = Pt, Pd, Au, and Ag) bimetallic catalysts to improve the EOD of furfural to reach industrially relevant current densities. The redox potential difference between Cu/Cu2+ and a noble metal M/My+ can incorporate the noble metal on the Cu surface and enlarge its surface area. Particularly, dispersing Pt in Cu (CuPt) achieved a record-high current density of 498 mA cm–2 for bipolar H2 production at a low cell voltage of 0.6 V and a Faradaic efficiency of >80% to H2. Future research is needed to deeply understand the synergistic effects of Cu–M toward EOD of furfural, and improve the Cu–M catalyst stability, thus offering great opportunities for future distributed manufacturing of green hydrogen and carbon chemicals with practical rates and low-carbon footprints.
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This content will become publicly available on May 6, 2026
High‐Performance Cu 6 Sn 5 Alloy Electrocatalysts for Formaldehyde Oxidative Dehydrogenation and Bipolar Hydrogen Production
Abstract Aldehyde‐assisted water electrolysis offers an attractive pathway for energy‐saving bipolar hydrogen production with combined faradaic efficiency (FE) of 200% while converting formaldehyde into value‐added formate. Herein we report the design and synthesis of noble metal‐free Cu6Sn5alloy as a highly effective electrocatalyst for formaldehyde electro‐oxidative dehydrogenation, demonstrating a geometric current density of 915 ± 46 mA cm−2at 0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, outperforming many noble metal electrocatalysts reported previously. The formaldehyde‐assisted water electrolyzer delivers 100 mA cm−2at a low cell voltage of 0.124 V, and a current density of 486 ± 20 mA cm−2at a cell voltage of 0.6 V without any iR compensation and exhibits nearly 200% faradaic efficiency for bipolar hydrogen production at 100 mA cm−2in 88 h long‐term operation. Density functional theory calculations further confirm the notably lowered barriers for dehydrogenation and Tafel steps on the Cu₆Sn₅ surface compared to Cu, underscoring its potential as a highly active catalyst.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2103116
- PAR ID:
- 10592470
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- ISSN:
- 1433-7851
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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