Modulating the electrocatalytic semihydrogenation selectivity of alkynes from water electrolysis using Pd-based sulfide and phosphide cathodes

Abstract

The electrocatalytic semihydrogenation of alkynes from water electrolysis is demonstrated using well-crystalized Pd₃P_0.95, Pd₄S, and Pd₃P_0.95/Pd₄S heterostructures. Pd₃P_0.95 exhibited a high conversion rate but poor selectivity for terminal alkynes, while Pd₄S demonstrated a reduced conversion rate but relatively enhanced selectivity; and as expected the optimized Pd₃P_0.95/Pd₄S heterostructure can simultaneously achieve a high conversion rate and selectivity. As for internal alkynes, Pd₃P_0.95 showed a high conversion rate and selectivity, while Pd₄S and Pd₃P_0.95/Pd₄S are unable to catalyze the transformation.