1. Electrocatalytic decarboxylation of carboxylic acids over RuO2 and Pt nanoparticles.
- Author
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Qiu, Yang, Lopez-Ruiz, Juan A., Zhu, Guomin, Engelhard, Mark H., Gutiérrez, Oliver Y., and Holladay, Jamie D.
- Subjects
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CARBOXYLIC acids , *OXYGEN evolution reactions , *DECARBOXYLATION , *VALERIC acid , *NANOSTRUCTURED materials , *NANOPARTICLES - Abstract
We report electrocatalytic decarboxylation (ECDX) of valeric acid into paraffins, olefins, and alcohols via (non-)Kolbe electrolysis on electrodes with RuO 2 and Pt nanoparticles (NPs) as a greener alternative to thermocatalytic decarboxylation. The turnover frequency of ECDX increases, while the specific activity peaks as RuO 2 NP size increases. These opposing trends make the particle size of ∼ 12 nm the optimum size for ECDX on RuO 2. Bulk Pt was active for ECDX, while Pt NPs were only active for the oxygen evolution reaction under our conditions. ECDX current efficiency remained constant in the studied potential range on RuO 2 NPs. Esterification was the favored reaction at 2.5 V vs. RHE; however, Kolbe electrolysis was the favored reaction at the expense of the esterification at 4.5 V vs. RHE. This work highlights the performance of nanostructured materials as an alternative to bulk materials as anodes for oxidative upgrading of carboxylic acids. [Display omitted] • RuO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) are a great alternative to bulk Pt for electrocatalytic decarboxylation (ECDX). • As RuO 2 NPs size increases, the turnover frequency of ECDX increases, while the specific activity reaches a maximum. • Bulk Pt is active for ECDX, while Pt NPs are only active for the oxygen evolution reaction due to surface oxidation. • Increasing potential shifts the product selectivity of ECDX from esters to paraffin production over RuO 2 NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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