One pot synthesis of hydrogen and glucaric acid via glucose electrolysis

Abstract

Amidst the rising population and energy demands, hydrogen fuel provides a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. In this aspect, electrochemical oxidation of biomass such as glucose, affords a more energy-efficient method as compared to water electrolysis in terms of energy storage, enhanced hydrogen (H₂) production and production of a value-added fuel viz. glucaric acid. Herein, we have designed nickel manganese oxide over OCNT as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode and glucose oxidation reaction (GOR) at the anode. While assembled a full cell (GOR-HER), 370 mV of potential was saved and a boost in hydrogen production from 0.05 mL min⁻¹ to 0.16 mL min⁻¹ was recorded. Moreover, selective formation of glucaric acid was confirmed by HR-MS, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR with a F.E. of 62.8% at 1.3 V vs. RHE.