As the global push for green chemistry intensifies, the electrocatalytic upgrading of biomass-derived alcohols into high-value chemicals has emerged as a sustainable alternative to traditional oxidation processes. Now, researchers from Tongji University, Taizhou University, and Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, led by Prof. Jiacheng Wang and Prof. Xiangzhi Cui, have developed a solid-acid NiCo 2 O 4 electrocatalyst with balanced Brønsted and Lewis acid sites (BASs and LASs) that enables efficient and selective electrooxidation of C 1 –C 6 saturated alcohols to formate. This work offers a new strategy for designing high-performance, non-noble metal catalysts for biomass valorization.
Why Balanced Acid Sites Matter
Innovative Design and Features
Applications and Future Outlook
This comprehensive work provides a molecular-level understanding of how acid site engineering and alcohol structure jointly dictate electrocatalytic performance, offering a rational framework for developing efficient, selective, and durable catalysts for biomass valorization and green chemical production.
Stay tuned for more innovations from Prof. Jiacheng Wang and Prof. Xiangzhi Cui and their teams!
Nano-Micro Letters
Experimental study
Saturated Alcohols Electrocatalytic Oxidations on Ni‑Co Bimetal Oxide Featuring Balanced B‑and L‑Acidic Active Sites
25-Aug-2025