Tailoring the Electrochemical Interface for 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Hydrodimerization Using Single and Gemini Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants

Peirow Asfia M, Steffen J, Cuomo A, Sajevic U, Görling A, Mayrhofer KJ, Nikolaienko P (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 13

Pages Range: 17151-17160

Journal Issue: 41

DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c04330

Abstract

The electrochemical pinacol coupling of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) offers a sustainable route to value-added chemicals, yet optimizing selectivity and conversion remains a challenge. Therefore, we employed surfactants as electrode–electrolyte interface modifiers to enhance the electro-hydrodimerization of HMF to 5,5′-bis(hydroxymethyl)hydrofuroin (BHH) on carbon electrodes. By applying 10 mM long-chain quaternary trimethylammonium surfactants, we successfully enhanced the product selectivity toward BHH from 37% to almost 60%. Replacing single-charged surfactants with analogous Gemini surfactants lowers the required modifier concentration to only 0.2 mM while maintaining the same results. Furthermore, substituting planar glassy carbon electrodes with reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) enables a significant increase in HMF conversion, exceeding 96% within 2 h, with no performance loss. This study provides new insights into surfactant-mediated electrocatalysis and establishes a scalable strategy for enhancing electrochemical biomass valorization.

Authors with CRIS profile

Julien Steffen Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Chemie Andreas Görling Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Chemie

Involved external institutions

Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Peirow Asfia, M., Steffen, J., Cuomo, A., Sajevic, U., Görling, A., Mayrhofer, K.J., & Nikolaienko, P. (2025). Tailoring the Electrochemical Interface for 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Hydrodimerization Using Single and Gemini Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 13(41), 17151-17160. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c04330

MLA:

Peirow Asfia, Mohammad, et al. "Tailoring the Electrochemical Interface for 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Hydrodimerization Using Single and Gemini Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 13.41 (2025): 17151-17160.

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