title: Low-Energy Catalytic Electrolysis for Simultaneous Hydrogen Evolution and Lignin Depolymerization.
abstract: Here, a new proton-exchange-membrane electrolysis is presented, in which lignin was used as the hydrogen source at the anode for hydrogen production. Either polyoxometalate (POM) or FeCl3was used as the catalyst and charge-transfer agent at the anode. Over 90 % Faraday efficiency was achieved. In a thermal-insulation reactor, the heat energy could be maintained at a very low level for continuous operation. Compared to the best alkaline-water electrolysis reported in literature, the electrical-energy consumption could be 40 % lower with lignin electrolysis. At the anode, the Kraft lignin (KL) was oxidized to aromatic chemicals by POM or FeCl3, and reduced POM or Fe ions were regenerated during the electrolysis. Structure analysis of the residual KL indicated a reduction of the amount of hydroxyl groups and the cleavage of ether bonds. The results suggest that POM- or FeCl3-mediated electrolysis can significantly reduce the electrolysis energy consumption in hydrogen production and, simultaneously, depolymerize lignin to low-molecular-weight value-added aromatic chemicals.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, 500 10th Street N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332-0620, USA.
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, 500 10th Street N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332-0620, USA.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, 500 10th Street N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332-0620, USA.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, 500 10th Street N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332-0620, USA.
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mulyadi
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, 500 10th Street N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332-0620, USA.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brittain
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, 500 10th Street N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332-0620, USA.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, 500 10th Street N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332-0620, USA.
authors.forename: Yulin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D002712:Chlorides / Q000737:chemistry; D004572:Electrolysis; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D058105:Polymerization; D017973:Tungsten Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D000099294:Polyoxometalates
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D006859:Hydrogen; D008031:Lignin; D017973:Tungsten Compounds; C102296:polyoxometalate I; D000099294:Polyoxometalates; C024555:ferric chloride
keywords: electrolysis; ferric chloride; hydrogen evolution; lignin depolymerization; polyoxometalates