Electrocatalytic reduction of furfural with high selectivity to furfuryl alcohol using AgPd alloy nanoparticles

AgPd alloy nanoparticles were applied for the electrocatalytic reduction of furfural (2-furfuraldehyde). Constant potential electrolysis experiments were carried out and furfural conversions and product selectivities to furfuryl alcohol were systematically investigated to elucidate the alloy composition-catalytic property relationship. AgPd catalysts exhibited faradaic efficiencies to furfuryl alcohol over 95% for Ag60Pd40 at low overpotentials in neutral, aqueous electrolyte.