A comprehensive analysis of the production of H2 and value-added chemicals from the electrolysis of biomass and derived feedstocks

The H2 produced by the electrolysis process is classified as green energy. However, in conventional water electrolysis, H2 is produced at the cathode and low-value O2 is produced at the anode. In addition, the energy required to produce H2 increases due to the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). By replacing water with biomass and its derivatives at the anode, H2 can be produced at the cathode with less energy consumption, while value-added products such as formic acid, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), 2-furoic acid, formate, acetate can be produced at the anode. Since the use of biomass-derived products instead of water in the electrolysis process is of strategic importance, this review focuses on the electrolysis of biomass and its derivatives. Through a comprehensive survey of numerous studies, the basic principles of the use of catalysts (electrocatalysts or redox mediators) in the electrolysis of biomass and derived products are explained. In conclusion, the causes of the current findings are comprehensively analyzed and important suggestions for solving these problems are given, opening new doors for future studies.