Continuous flow
                    pH
                    ‐asymmetric paired electrosynthesis enabled by bipolar membrane electrolyzer

Chuang Qi; Jiahui He; Pan Hu; Zhenyang Dong; Kai Li; Lihao Liu; Yuhang Wang; Ruiyang Liang; Yongyong Cao; Xing Zhong; Jianguo Wang

doi:10.1002/aic.70259

journal article Jan 26, 2026

Continuous flow pH ‐asymmetric paired electrosynthesis enabled by bipolar membrane electrolyzer

Chuang Qi Jiahui He

Pan Hu

Zhenyang Dong Kai Li

Lihao Liu

Yuhang Wang

Ruiyang Liang Yongyong Cao

Xing Zhong

Jianguo Wang

AIChE Journal Vol. 72 No. 5 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/aic.70259

Abstract

Abstract

Paired electrosynthesis enables simultaneous electrocatalytic oxidation (ECO) and hydrogenation (ECH) of cinnamyl alcohol. However, the pH‐asymmetric configuration between alkaline ECO and acidic ECH limits integration. Herein, a bipolar‐membrane (BPM) electrolyzer was constructed using Ni‐loaded porous carbon nanobowls graphite felt (Ni/PCBs/GF) and Pd‐loaded PCBs (Pd/PCBs/GF) to perform ECO and ECH in their respective optimal environments. The hollow PCB structure improves mass transport and active‐site exposure, enhancing catalytic activity. The Ni/PCBs/GF achieved a cinnamaldehyde yield of 98.0%, while Pd/PCBs/GF attained 99.0% selectivity toward 3‐phenylpropanol.
In situ
spectroscopy and DFT indicated Ni heterointerface reconstruction that promotes (4‐acetamido‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl) ACT adsorption and electron–hole mediation, and Pd electronic redistribution that activates Pd sites for CC hydrogenation. The scaled‐up BPM electrolyzer reached space–time yields of 12.79 and 7.02 kg·m
−3
·h
−1
at the alkaline anode and acidic cathode, demonstrating effective co‐production under disparate conditions. This study advances paired electrosynthesis by harmonizing anodic–cathodic conditions, enabling energy‐efficient co‐production of value‐added chemicals.

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Published: Jan 26, 2026
Vol/Issue: 72(5)
License: View

Authors

C

Chuang Qi

State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Synthesis and Conversion, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science and Engineering for Catalysts, College of Chemical Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China

J

Jiahui He

State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Synthesis and Conversion, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science and Engineering for Catalysts, College of Chemical Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China

P

Pan Hu

State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Synthesis and Conversion, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science and Engineering for Catalysts, College of Chemical Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China

Z

Zhenyang Dong

State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Synthesis and Conversion, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science and Engineering for Catalysts, College of Chemical Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China

K

Kai Li

State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Synthesis and Conversion, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science and Engineering for Catalysts, College of Chemical Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China

L

Lihao Liu

State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Synthesis and Conversion, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science and Engineering for Catalysts, College of Chemical Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China

Y

Yuhang Wang

State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Synthesis and Conversion, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science and Engineering for Catalysts, College of Chemical Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China

R

Ruiyang Liang

State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Synthesis and Conversion, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science and Engineering for Catalysts, College of Chemical Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China

Y

Yongyong Cao

College of Biological Chemical Science and Engineering Jiaxing University Jiaxing China

X

Xing Zhong

State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Synthesis and Conversion, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science and Engineering for Catalysts, College of Chemical Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China; Innovation Research Center for Advanced Environmental Technology Eco‐Industrial Innovation Institute, ZJUT Quzhou China

J

Jianguo Wang

State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Synthesis and Conversion, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science and Engineering for Catalysts, College of Chemical Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China Award: 22322810

National Key Research and Development Program of China Award: 2022YFA1504200

Fundamental Research Funds for the Provincial Universities of Zhejiang Award: RF‐C2023004

Cite This Article

Chuang Qi, Jiahui He, Pan Hu, et al. (2026). Continuous flow pH ‐asymmetric paired electrosynthesis enabled by bipolar membrane electrolyzer. AIChE Journal, 72(5). https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.70259

Continuous flow pH ‐asymmetric paired electrosynthesis enabled by bipolar membrane electrolyzer

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