Single-atom Electrocatalysts for Urea and Furfural-assisted Water Electrolysis

You X, Lourenço JC, Porto TP, Pangotra D, Vieira L, Wang H, Ledendecker M, Rocha RS, dos Santos AJ, de Vasconcelos Lanza MR, Maia G, Fortunato GV (2026)

Publication Type: Authored book

Publication year: 2026

Publisher: Wiley

ISBN: 9783527854455

Abstract

This chapter explores the emerging role of single-atom catalysts (SACs) in hybrid water electrolysis, where the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode is coupled with an anodic conversion of low-value feedstocks. By replacing the energy-intensive oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with the electrooxidation of urea or furfural, hybrid electrolysis enables simultaneous green hydrogen generation and chemical valorization, enhancing both energy efficiency and sustainability. Urea, abundant in wastewater, and furfural, a biomass-derived platform molecule, can be selectively transformed into value-added products such as furoic, maleic, and succinic acids while reducing environmental burdens. While SACs already show strong potential in urea oxidation, their application in furfural oxidation is still in its early stages, offering fertile ground for innovation. Leveraging strategic support materials, such as functionalized carbon, metal oxides, or metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived frameworks, SACs provide high atomic efficiency, tunable coordination environments, and robust metal–support interactions (MSIs) that stabilize active sites and direct reaction pathways under harsh electrochemical conditions. Beyond catalyst design, progress in decentralized electrolyzer development, even at small scales, is crucial to enable modular, in-situ integration with production plants where residual urea or furfural streams are generated. This chapter highlights design strategies, mechanistic insights, and emerging challenges, positioning SAC-based hybrid electrolysis as a promising route toward circular-economy solutions.

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität München (TUM) DE Germany (DE) University of São Paulo / Universidade de São Paulo (USP) BR Brazil (BR) Fraunhofer-Institut für Grenzflächen- und Bioverfahrenstechnik IGB / Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology DE Germany (DE) Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE) São Paulo State University / Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP) BR Brazil (BR) Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul BR Brazil (BR)

How to cite

APA:

You, X., Lourenço, J.C., Porto, T.P., Pangotra, D., Vieira, L., Wang, H.,... Fortunato, G.V. (2026). Single-atom Electrocatalysts for Urea and Furfural-assisted Water Electrolysis. Wiley.

MLA:

You, Xiangyu, et al. Single-atom Electrocatalysts for Urea and Furfural-assisted Water Electrolysis. Wiley, 2026.

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