Development of an eco-efficient plasma process of low metal loaded catalyst synthesis for the electrochemical valorization of Glycerol
Résumé
The worldwide glycerol stocks are increasing; to make biodiesel industry economically sustainable this compound could be used as a secondary primary raw material. Hydrogen and added value chemicals cogeneration becomes a more and more important research topic for increasing economical and industrial interests towards electrochemical technologies. Such technology allows decreasing the electrolysis cell potential (enregy saving) for hydrogen production in comparison of water electrolysis and generation of value added or industrial interest compounds. Conversely to classical heterogeneous processes, electrocatalytic oxidation processes can be oriented by controlling the nature, composition and structure of the electrocatalyts, and the electrode potential. Such control may lead to very high selectivity and activity, avoiding or limiting product separation steps. The coupling of the glycerol oxidation towards chemicals at the anode with the water reduction reaction at the cathode of an electrolysis cell, using Pt-free catalysts, leads to the coproduction of hydrogen for energy storage. In the present communication, the synthesis and characterization of binary and ternary Pd-based catalysts with different atomic compositions and structures is presented and their activity and selectivity towards glycerol electrooxidation are evaluated. The development of an eco efficient plasma process for the preparation of low metal loaded electrodes is also presented and the enhanced activity of plasma-catalysts evidenced. In situ infrared spectroscopy detection of reaction intermediates and HPLC analysis of reaction products will allow proposing glycerol oxidation mechanisms