Electro-generative hydrogenation of allyl alcohol applying PEM fuel cell reactor

The electro-generative hydrogenation of allyl alcohol (AA) to 1-propanol was studied applying the PEM fuel cell reactor. The results indicated that AA can be converted to 1-propanol at the cathode, and electric power was generated simultaneously. No side reactions were observed during the operation. Open circuit cell potentials were around 0.25 V and current density varied from 4 to 66 mA/cm(2) with the change of external load. The maximum power density was 6.2 MW/cm(2) at a current density of 66 mA/cm(2) during the hydrogenation of AA in water with the generation of electric power. According to the cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement for the electro-reduction of AA, the hydrogenation of AA occurred near the positive potential of 250 mV before hydrogen evolution. CV measurement was in accord with the results observed in the hydrogenation of AA in the PEM fuel cell reactor. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.