Electrochemical co-production of acrylate and hydrogen from 1,3-propandiol

The co-production of acrylate and hydrogen from 1,3-propandiol is achieved by electrochemical reforming using a nanoparticle Pd on mixed Vulcan XC-72 carbon and ceria electrocatalyst (Pd/C-CeO2). Electrolysis cell parameters (potential, temperature and flow conditions) are tuned to favor the formation of acrylate with respect to the other oxidation products (3-hydroxypropanoate and malonate). Using high cell temperature combined with a low cell voltage favors the formation of acrylate, the selectivity for which is further enhanced by flowing the 1,3-propandiol solution in single-pass mode rather than recycling through the electrolyzer. Hence, at a cell temperature of 80 °C and at a fixed cell potential of 400 mV using a one pass continuous flow of 1,3-propandiol, 77% of selectivity for acrylate is obtained.