New insights on the selective electroconversion of the cellulosic biomass-derived glucose at PtAu nanocatalysts in an anion exchange membrane fuel cell

Cellulosic biomass, which is basically a polymer of glucose, the most abundant organic on earth and there significant interest in development advanced materials for its valorization through waste-to-energy water-to-chemical scenarios. Hence, precise investigation monomer (glucose) electrooxidation electrochemical reactors key starting point to tackle whole cellulose ultimately entire biomass. To this end, we report herein new insights about operation cogeneration direct alkaline glucose fuel cell (which includes an anion exchange membrane) that simultaneously produces electricity mainly gluconate as reaction product. The AuPt nanocatalysts 3–5 nm particle size finely dispersed onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at 20 wt% metal loading are obtained from surfactant-free method, so-called bromide (BAE). Specifically, electroanalytical carried out with high-performance liquid ionic chromatography (HPLIC) coupled mass spectrometry (LC-MS) demonstrate no carbon–carbon bond cleavage occurs, represents advance towards CO2-free biomass process. comparison results commonly three-electrode half-cell those membrane shows trends selectivity same. via two-electron transfer process 90% 65% Faradaic efficiency. In addition gluconate, glucuronate also observed; both compounds high value-added chemicals. This work contributes engineering novel electrocatalytic interfaces surplus into energy