Robust PtRu catalyst regulated via cyclic electrodeposition for electrochemical production of cyclohexanol

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) of phenol has been recognized as a promising route towards facile and green production of cyclohexanol. However, the practical application is hindered by product selectivity and catalyst durability. Herein, a series of PtRu electrocatalysts composed of metallic Pt 0 and RuO 2 species are in situ fabricated on carbon paper via cyclic electrodeposition, showing outstanding activity and stability for ECH of phenol. At ambient temperature and a current density of 10 mA cm −2 , the optimal Pt3Ru3 catalyst achieves a 100 % selectivity to cyclohexanol at a 100 % conversion of phenol in 0.1 M H 2 SO 4 . At 100 mA cm −2 , Pt3Ru3 achieves an outstanding faradaic efficiency of ∼87 % and a cyclohexanol production of 52.6 mg cm −2 h −1 . Two parallel ECH pathways from phenol to cyclohexanol are identified. In situ Raman spectroscopy and kinetic study reveal that phenol could be hydrogenated over Pt3Ru3 in acidic electrolyte via proton-coupled electron transfer with the destruction of conjugated π bond of aromatic ring. This work offers an effective approach for facile construction of durable electrode material and an efficient electrochemical strategy for phenol hydrogenation.