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Anion intercalation enables efficient and stable carboxylate upgrading via aqueous non-Kolbe electrolysis

Author

Listed:
  • Xinyan Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Laihao Luo

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Chunxiao Liu

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Weiqing Xue

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Yuan Ji

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Donghao Zhao

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Pengbo Liu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xinran Feng

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Jun Luo

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Qiu Jiang

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Tingting Zheng

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Xu Li

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Chuan Xia

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Jie Zeng

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Anhui University of Technology)

Abstract

Next-generation techniques for sustainable carboxylate production generate carboxylate salts as the primary outcome. To circumvent the costly conversion of carboxylate salts to acids, we demonstrate the aqueous (non-)Kolbe electrolysis process as an alternative strategy to generate downstream value-added chemicals. Upon revealing the irreversible oxidation-induced charge transfer inhibition on the graphite anode, we propose an anion intercalation strategy to mitigate the stability problem induced by the ever-increasing overpotential. In acetate decarboxylation, we observe a high Faradaic efficiency of ~95% for non-Kolbe products (methanol and methyl acetate) at wide current densities ranging from 0.05 to 1 A cm−2 and long-term stability at current densities of 0.15 and 0.6 A cm−2 for 130 and 35 h, respectively. We also extended this strategy for the upgrading of long-chain carboxylates such as propionate, butyrate, and succinate. Our work provides valuable guidance for carboxylate upgrading and extendable strategy for overcoming passivation challenges in catalysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinyan Zhang & Laihao Luo & Chunxiao Liu & Weiqing Xue & Yuan Ji & Donghao Zhao & Pengbo Liu & Xinran Feng & Jun Luo & Qiu Jiang & Tingting Zheng & Xu Li & Chuan Xia & Jie Zeng, 2025. "Anion intercalation enables efficient and stable carboxylate upgrading via aqueous non-Kolbe electrolysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58924-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58924-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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