Proceedings of MATSUS Fall 2023 Conference (MATSUSFall23)
Publication date: 18th July 2023
Glycerol is generated as a by-product during the transesterification of plant or animal oils and fats into biodiesel [1]. The production of glycerol has surpassed the current industry demands and drives the need for new markets for its utilisation [2]. Electrocatalysis driven by renewable electricity is a sustainable way to upgrade glycerol into more value-added compounds [3]. Lactic acid, in particular, is in high demand within the food and pharmaceutical industries and plays a crucial role in the production of polylactic acid (PLA), a valued polymer used in biodegradable plastics as an alternative to fossil-based PET [3][4]. The glycerol electrolysis couples the glycerol electrooxidation on the anode side with hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on the cathode side [5], enabling the co-production of lactic acid as monomers for biodegradable polymer and hydrogen as a sustainable fuel generated with lower energy requirement compared to water electrolysis.
Platinum-based electrocatalysts have been recognized as highly efficient for catalysing electrooxidation of glycerol over the entire pH range [6]. However, achieving highly selective lactic acid production remains a significant challenge. The potential to fine-tune the selectivity of glycerol electrooxidation in alkaline electrolytes has not yet been fully investigated. In this poster, I present active Pt-based electrocatalyst systems capable of selectively producing lactic acid in alkaline media while co-generating H2 with high faradaic efficiency. The catalysts were prepared by spray-coating the an ink containing Pt/C nanoparticles onto the surface of carbon paper (Freudenberg H23) used as a conductive substrate. The electrocatalytic activity of the catalyst was tested in a 3-electrode setup in a one-compartment PTFE cell through cyclic voltammetry in a potential range from 0 to 1.0 V vs. RHE in alkaline medium. Catalyst stability was tested through long-term glycerol electrolysis conducted by chronopotentiometry in a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) cell, coupled with GC to detect H2 production. Following the long-term measurements, the electrolytes were collected and subjected to HPLC analysis to detect liquid oxidation products. A lactic acid selectivity of 55% was achieved with H2 production exhibiting a faradaic efficiency of 90%.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the successful completion of this project.
First and foremost, I am deeply thankful to my supervisors, Prof. Magda Titirici and Dr Hui Luo, whose guidance, expertise, and support played a crucial role in shaping this research project. Your mentorship and dedication were instrumental in navigating the complexities of this project.
I also extend my appreciation to the members of my research team, Titirici Group, for their invaluable assistance, collaboration, and constructive discussions throughout my. Your collective efforts greatly enhanced the quality and scope of our work.
Furthermore, I would like to thank my family and friends for their unwavering encouragement and support.
Lastly, I express my appreciation to all those who indirectly contributed to this work through their insightful literature, resources, and expertise.
This project would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts and support of each individual mentioned above. Thank you all
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