Selective Electrooxidation of Glycerol to Formic Acid over Carbon Supported Ni1–x M x (M = Bi, Pd, and Au) Nanocatalysts and Coelectrolysis of CO2

The composition effect of carbon supported Ni x M1–x (M = Bi, Pd, and Au) nanomaterials toward glycerol electrooxidation (GEOR) was evaluated in alkaline media. Ni-rich catalysts with different atomic ratios (M atomic ratio ≤20%) were synthesized by the heatless coreduction method and characterized by various physicochemical and electrochemical techniques. All structures of the Ni x M1–x /C catalysts were composed of a rich phase of Ni­(OH)2, as evidenced by TDA-TGA and XPS. Among the different nanomaterials, the Ni0.9Au0.1/C catalyst provided the lowest onset potential (+0.12 V vs Hg/HgO) and the highest peak current density. In situ infrared spectroscopy experiments combined with electrochemical measurements exhibited the formation of formate for all catalysts, thus indicating the breakage of C–C bonds of glycerol. GEOR led to 100% selectivity for formate after 1 h electrolysis and 100% conversion of glycerol after 24 h at +1.55 V. Furthermore, when these inexpensive catalysts were tested in tandem with cathodic CO2 electroreduction, the anodic Ni0.9Au0.1/C catalyst displayed the highest partial current density for CO and the lowest onset potential.