Electrosynthesis of Chemicals from Biomass Glycerol

The electrosynthesis of chemicals from biomass-derived glycerol presents a promising pathway for sustainable chemical production, effectively addressing surplus glycerol from biodiesel production and using intermittent electrical energy. This process involves electrochemical conversion of glycerol into valuable products, offering an alternative to the traditional thermochemical route. In this Perspective, we first review the state-of-the-art electrochemical conversion of glycerol into various valuable chemicals, such as glyceric acid, lactic acid, glycolaldehyde, and formic acid. We then analyze the challenges and solutions for scaling up the electrochemical process from the laboratory to industrial production. Finally, we propose potential strategies in catalyst development, process optimization, and scalability, key factors in determining the feasibility of electrosynthesis as a mainstream method for chemical production.