Linking catalysis with electrochemical conversion - Towards understanding the complexity of electrocatalytic reduction of organic chemicals

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation is a promising, sustainable technology for the ambient reduction of organic molecules. Compared to that in gas phase, the presence of liquid water weakens the adsorption of H on the transition metal, e.g. Pt. This is contributed by the interaction of H with water via a hydrogen electrode reaction, compensating the adsorption heat and induces a large loss of entropy by anchoring water molecules. The surface H, originated from H₂ adsorption or from H(H₂O)_n⁺ reduction showed the same reactivity in the hydrogenation of benzaldehyde.