Factors affecting selective electrochemical glycerol oxidation to three-carbon products over cuprous oxide microcubes

In spite of the promising potential of selective electrochemical glycerol oxidation reaction (EGOR) as a sustainable method for converting glycerol into valuable products, the factors governing selective EGOR to desired products remain inadequately understood. In this study, we investigated the key factors governing selective EGOR using Cu2O as an electrocatalyst. By combining electrochemical studies paired with high-performance liquid chromatography, we gained a detailed understanding of the reaction pathway. The results demonstrate that Cu2O is an efficient and stable electrocatalyst, producing valuable three-carbon products, including dihydroxyacetone (DHA), glyceraldehyde (GLYD), and glyceric acid (GLAC), with a selectivity of 90%. Notably, DHA was produced with selectivity as high as 45%. Our investigations reveal that while the applied potential and glycerol concentration primarily govern the reaction rates, temperature is the most significant factor for tuning the product distribution. However, it should be noted that raising the electrolyte temperature to 50 °C can lead to the self-degradation of intermediates to a certain content, which can impact product selectivity. Our work contributes to a better understanding of the factors that control EGOR and provides a foundation for future research in this field.