Unraveling the potential-dependent structure evolution in CuO for electrocatalytic biomass valorization

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Electrocatalytic oxidation of biomass, like glucose, is key for producing high-value chemicals and achieving carbon neutrality.
• Copper oxide (CuO)-derived materials show promise as electrocatalysts for biomass electrooxidation, but their active sites remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential-dependent structure evolution of CuO during glucose oxidation.
• To identify the active phases and their roles in the glucose oxidation reaction (GOR).

Main Methods:

• Systematic electrochemical characterizations.
• Spectroscopic analyses.
• Studying potential-dependent structural changes in CuO.

Main Results:

• CuO undergoes Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ and Cu³⁺/Cu²⁺ redox processes at increasing potentials.
• Active phases, Cu(OH)₂ and CuOOH, are successively generated.
• Cu(OH)₂ favors aldehyde oxidation, while CuOOH excels in C-C cleavage and alcohol/aldehyde oxidation.

Conclusions:

• The study elucidates the dynamic reconstruction of CuO electrocatalysts under electrochemical conditions.
• Identifies distinct roles of Cu(OH)₂ and CuOOH active phases in glucose oxidation.
• Provides insights for designing advanced Cu-based catalysts for biomass valorization.