Full Paper

Electrocatalytic Reduction of Acetone in a Proton-Exchange-Membrane Reactor: A Model Reaction for the Electrocatalytic Reduction of Biomass

  1. Sara K. Green1,
  2. Geoffrey A. Tompsett1,
  3. Hyung Ju Kim2,
  4. Prof. Won Bae Kim2,*,
  5. Prof. George W. Huber1,*

Article first published online: 7 SEP 2012

DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201200416

Issue

ChemSusChem

ChemSusChem

Volume 5, Issue 12, pages 2410–2420, December 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Green, S. K., Tompsett, G. A., Kim, H. J., Kim, W. B. and Huber, G. W. (2012), Electrocatalytic Reduction of Acetone in a Proton-Exchange-Membrane Reactor: A Model Reaction for the Electrocatalytic Reduction of Biomass. ChemSusChem, 5: 2410–2420. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201200416

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 686 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003 (USA), Fax: (+1) 413-545-1647

  2. 2

    School of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), 261 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 500-712 (South Korea), Fax: (+82) 62-715-2304

*School of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), 261 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 500-712 (South Korea), Fax: (+82) 62-715-2304

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 3 DEC 2012
  2. Article first published online: 7 SEP 2012
  3. Manuscript Received: 18 JUN 2012

Funded by

  • University of Massachusetts CVIP Technology Development Fund

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (482K)

Keywords:

  • biofuels;
  • electrochemistry;
  • energy conversion;
  • fuel cells;
  • heterogeneous catalysis

Abstract

Acetone was electrocatalytically reduced to isopropanol in a proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) reactor on an unsupported platinum cathode. Protons needed for the reduction were produced on the unsupported Pt[BOND]Ru anode from either hydrogen gas or electrolysis of water. The current efficiency (the ratio of current contributing to the desired chemical reaction to the overall current) and reaction rate for acetone conversion increased with increasing temperature or applied voltage for the electrocatalytic acetone/water system. The reaction rate and current efficiency went through a maximum with respect to acetone concentration. The reaction rate for acetone conversion increased with increasing temperature for the electrocatalytic acetone/hydrogen system. Increasing the applied voltage for the electrocatalytic acetone/hydrogen system decreased the current efficiency due to production of hydrogen gas. Results from this study demonstrate the commercial feasibility of using PEM reactors to electrocatalytically reduce biomass-derived oxygenates into renewable fuels and chemicals.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (482K)