CO2-mediated organocatalytic chlorine evolution under industrial conditions

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

78 Scopus Citations
View graph of relations

Author(s)

  • Wen-Hao Li
  • Hai-Tao Tang
  • Ying-Ming Pan
  • Dingsheng Wang
  • Yadong Li

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)519-523
Journal / PublicationNature
Volume617
Issue number7961
Online published17 May 2023
Publication statusPublished - 18 May 2023
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

During the chlor-alkali process, in operation since the nineteenth century, electrolysis of sodium chloride solutions generates chlorine and sodium hydroxide that are both important for chemical manufacturing1–4. As the process is very energy intensive, with 4% of globally produced electricity (about 150 TWh) going to the chlor-alkaliindustry5–8, even modest efficiency improvements can deliver substantial cost and energy savings. A particular focus in this regard is the demanding chlorine evolution reaction, for which the state-of-the-art electrocatalyst is still the dimensionally stable anode developed decades ago9–11. New catalysts for the chlorine evolution reaction have been reported12,13, but they still mainly consist of noble metal14–18. Here we show that an organocatalyst with an amide functional group enables the chlorine evolution reaction; and that in the presence of CO2, it achieves a current density of 10 kA m−2 and a selectivity of 99.6% at an overpotential of only 89 mV and thus rivals the dimensionally stable anode. We find that reversible binding of CO2 to the amide nitrogen facilitates formation of a radical species that plays a critical role in Cl2 generation, and that might also prove useful in the context of Cl batteries and organic synthesis19–21. Although organocatalysts are typically not considered promising for demanding electrochemical applications, this work demonstrates their broader potential and the opportunities they offer for developing industrially relevant new processes and exploring new electrochemical mechanisms. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.

Research Area(s)

  • oxygen-evolution, Electrocatalysis, Chloralkali, Selectivity, Catalysis

Citation Format(s)

CO2-mediated organocatalytic chlorine evolution under industrial conditions. / Yang, Jiarui; Li, Wen-Hao; Tang, Hai-Tao et al.
In: Nature, Vol. 617, No. 7961, 18.05.2023, p. 519-523.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review