Searching bioalcohols for more sustainable fuel cells: On the electrochemical oxidation of a glycerol platform molecule on gold

Mekazni, Dalila S. ; Rodes, Antonio ; Arán-Ais, Rosa M. ; Leal-Duaso, Alejandro ; Sánchez-Sánchez, Carlos M. ; Herrero, Enrique

Resumen: In this work, the electrochemical oxidation of a bio-based platform molecule derived from glycerol, namely glycidol, was investigated on gold electrodes and compared to the electrooxidation of glycerol, since both are C3-based alcohols derived from the same renewable biomass source. Cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) experiments were performed in alkaline and acidic media at room temperature to analyze reaction mechanisms and products formation. Both glycerol and glycidol exhibited high reactivity in alkaline conditions. Nevertheless, glycerol oxidation on gold electrodes showed higher activity than glycidol, which can be attributed to the highly stable cyclic structure of glycidol and differences in the acidity of their alcohol groups. FTIR analysis and in situ infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy of glycidol electrooxidation revealed the formation of various carboxylate anions and also carbonate, indicating that in some cases the complete cleavage of the Csingle bondC bond has taken place. These findings provide valuable insights into the electrochemical behavior of glycerol-derived molecules on gold, contributing to the development of more sustainable bio-based fuels.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2025.119324

Año: 2025

Publicado en: JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 995 (2025), 119324 [9 pp.]
ISSN: 1572-6657

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/AEI/PID2022-137350NB-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/PID2021-125762NB-I00

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)