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Sustainable electrosynthesis of ethylamine at an industrial scale

02.04.26 | Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University

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Figure 3
Theoretical insights into AN-ECH: Surface Pourbaix diagrams of (a) Eu-Cu2O@NF and (b) Cu2O@NF; (c) Bader charge of the Eu-Cu2O@NF surface; (d) ELF maps of Eu-Cu2O@NF and Cu2O@NF; (e) Gibbs free energy diagrams and corresponding geometric structures on the Eu-Cu2O@NF and Cu2O@NF; (f) COHP maps of Cu-N bonds of AN absorbed in Eu-Cu2O@NF and Cu2O@NF; (g) PDOS maps of AN absorbed in Eu-Cu2O@NF, and the Figure inset shows the band-decomposed charge density, with blue and yellow representing wave func Credit: ©Han Du et al.

From dyes to pharmaceuticals to emulsifiers - ethylamine (EA) is a versatile component used in many industries. The downside of EA is that its production is terribly complicated and energy intensive. However, it is not a simple task to simplify EA production in a way that can also be scaled up to industrial levels.

Researchers at Tohoku University's WPI-AIMR may have found an answer to this problem. Rare earth Eu atoms were modified on Cu 2 O nanoneedles to produce a catalyst (Eu-Cu 2 O) that can increase the efficiency of the chemical reaction that produces EA. This means it no longer consumes such a large amount of energy to produce. Remarkably, the reaction achieves an EA Faradaic efficiency of 98.1% and can operate continuously for up to 420 hours. To date, this finding holds the record for the longest reported activity whilst maintaining stability - all under industrial conditions.

This research introduces a unique rare‐earth atom-mediated strategy to achieve industrial-scale electrosynthesis of ethylamine under mild conditions. By precisely tuning the electronic structure of Cu 2 O through atomic europium incorporation, the method enables a unique switch in acetonitrile adsorption configuration that overcomes long-standing challenges of selectivity loss and instability at ampere-level currents.

The importance of these findings extends beyond the laboratory, as the developed catalyst supports continuous, energy-efficient production of EA - an essential precursor in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and more - using electricity and water instead of fossil-derived hydrogen. This advancement represents a vital step toward sustainable, electrified chemical manufacturing for a low-carbon future.

The findings were published in Advanced Materials on January 20, 2026.

About the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)

The WPI program was launched in 2007 by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to foster globally visible research centers boasting the highest standards and outstanding research environments. Numbering more than a dozen and operating at institutions throughout the country, these centers are given a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to engage in innovative modes of management and research. The program is administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

See the latest research news from the centers at the WPI News Portal: https://www.eurekalert.org/newsportal/WPI
Main WPI program site: www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel

Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)
Tohoku University
Establishing a World-Leading Research Center for Materials Science

AIMR aims to contribute to society through its actions as a world-leading research center for materials science and push the boundaries of research frontiers. To this end, the institute gathers excellent researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and mathematics and provides a world-class research environment.

AIMR site: https://www.wpi-aimr.tohoku.ac.jp/en/

Advanced Materials

10.1002/adma.202521105

Atomic Eu-Mediated Acetonitrile Adsorption Configuration Switch Drives Long-Term and Ampere-Level Electrosynthesis of Ethylamine in AEM Electrolyzer

20-Jan-2026

Additional Media

Figure 1
(a) Comparison of conventional thermal, catalytic, and electrocatalytic pathways for AN hydrogenation. The thermal route often suffers from low selectivity and undesirable byproducts, while the electrochemical approach enables greener and highly selective EA synthesis. (b) Electronic structure modulation of metal sites induced by Eu doping, demonstrating its potential to regulate the adsorption configuration of key reaction intermediates. (c) Proposed mechanism of Eu-mediated transition of the A Credit: ©Han Du et al.
Figure 2
(a) LSV curves at a scan rate of 10 mV s−1 in the electrolyte of 1.0 m KOH and 1.0 m KOH containing 8wt.% AN; (b) 1H NMR of products from Eu-Cu2O@NF and Cu2O@NF; (c) FE, selectivity and (d) EA yield rate of Eu-Cu2O@NF and Cu2O@NF under different bias potential; (e) Polarization curve of Eu-Cu2O@NF and Cu2O@NF in AEM reactor; (f) the chronopotentiometry test and corresponding FE results; (g) Expansion of high-value-added products by EA produced by AN-ECH: (1a) Ethylamine hydrochloride; (2a) Antip Credit: ©Han Du et al.

Keywords

Adsorption Catalysis Catalytic Efficiency Europium Rare Earth Elements

Article Information

Journal
Advanced Materials
DOI
10.1002/adma.202521105
Article Publication Date
2026-01-20
Article Title
Atomic Eu-Mediated Acetonitrile Adsorption Configuration Switch Drives Long-Term and Ampere-Level Electrosynthesis of Ethylamine in AEM Electrolyzer

Contact Information

Public Relations
Tohoku University
public_relations@grp.tohoku.ac.jp

Source

Original Source
https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/press/sustainable_electrosynthesis_of_ethylamine_at_industrial_scale.html

How to Cite This Article

APA:
Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University. (2026, February 4). Sustainable electrosynthesis of ethylamine at an industrial scale. Brightsurf News. https://www.brightsurf.com/news/12DR57O1/sustainable-electrosynthesis-of-ethylamine-at-an-industrial-scale.html
MLA:
"Sustainable electrosynthesis of ethylamine at an industrial scale." Brightsurf News, Feb. 4 2026, https://www.brightsurf.com/news/12DR57O1/sustainable-electrosynthesis-of-ethylamine-at-an-industrial-scale.html.