Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of alkynes and alkenes using a proton conductive graphene oxide membrane†

Abstract

Graphene-based membranes are emerging as promising materials for energy and chemical conversion due to their exceptional proton conductivity and stability. In this study, we report a graphene oxide (GO) nanosheet membrane for electrochemical hydrogenation reactions. The GO membrane demonstrates excellent proton conductivity, confirmed through concentration cell measurement and complex impedance spectroscopy, and efficiently facilitates proton transport when integrated with active platinum catalysts as the cathode and anode. This system enables selective hydrogenation of alkynes and alkenes into their corresponding alkanes, achieving selectivities of 82% to 93%. This work highlights the potential of graphene-based membrane reactors as cost-effective, scalable, and energy-efficient alternative to traditional hydrogenation methods.