Electrocatalytic Bipolar Synthesis of Valuable Chemicals

Abstract Electrocatalysis can synthesize kinds of valuable chemicals and plays vital role in developing clean and renewable energy storage and conversion devices. In the traditional electrocatalytic systems, researchers try to synthesize one type of valuable chemical at cathode or anode independently. Recently, electrocatalytic bipolar synthesis of valuable chemicals at both cathode and anode simultaneously becomes popular and attracts much attention. In this minireview, we summarize the latest processes on innovative strategies for electrocatalytic bipolar synthesis of various chemicals. We will discuss the findings according to the categories of the products, including bipolar hydrogen production, bipolar formate production and bipolar hydrogenation. And the associated catalysts optimization, reaction mechanism, and design principles are well introduced. Moreover, the challenges and prospects are highlighted for future developments. This review is timely and will guide others pay more attention to this novel electrocatalytic bipolar synthesis systems.