Electrochemical reforming of an acidic aqueous glycerol solution on Pt electrodes

The feasibility of the electrochemical conversion of glycerol to alternative, more valuable compounds was evaluated with platinum electrode under galvanostatic conditions. The results indicated a potentially good feasibility of reforming glycerol by electrolysis, particularly under strong acidic conditions (pH 1). Indeed, under controlled conditions at pH 1, various commercially valuable compounds, such as propanediol, glycidol, and 2-propenol, amongst others, were produced. The mechanism for the generation of the key compounds is proposed.