A groundbreaking electrochemical system developed by a research team has demonstrated the ability to convert plant-based compounds into two valuable products simultaneously. This cutting-edge technology employs a highly specialized, single-atom ruthenium catalyst, Ru SAs/Co(OH)2. It performs simultaneous oxidation and hydrogenation reactions in a single electrolytic cell very efficiently. Those results—together with a series of follow-up experiments—were detailed October 15, 2025, in the journal Advanced Energy Materials.
The electrochemical system focuses on 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). This renewable, plant-derived compound is an important platform for reducing the chemical industry’s reliance on fossil fuels. Intriguingly, this piece of research combines the two chemical processes inside one continuous-flow system. It’s focused on reducing waste and energy use while increasing the efficiency in which chemicals are produced.
The Role of HMF in Sustainable Production
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has gained some attention lately for its potential to play a key role in establishing a sustainable chemical industry. As a biomass-derived advanced molecule, it offers an alternative to fossil fuel-based feedstocks that serve as the starting materials for conventional chemical production. The new electrochemical system capitalizes on this potential by effectively converting HMF into valuable products, including 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), which is gaining attention for its applications in bio-based plastics and other materials.
The research team engineered the system in a way to trigger oxidation and hydrogenation reactions simultaneously. This innovative approach reduces the number of individual processing steps. This methodology reduces not only production time but the overall efficiency of the staging process.
“Instead of separating the oxidation and hydrogenation processes, we let them flow together efficiently in one system. It’s a step toward smarter and more sustainable ways of producing chemicals from renewable resources.” – Hao Li
Technical Innovations in the Electrochemical System
The electrochemical system was arranged in a “symmetrical” configuration. This design combines the two reaction sides and dramatically increases the overall efficiency of the process. This design helps reduce overall waste generation and energy use, making it a strong candidate for widespread industrial application.
Testing in a continuously-stirred tank reactor show excellent robustness and reproducibility. The system doesn’t lose performance capability after more than 240 hours of continuous operation. This durability is no small thing in industrial environments where constant production is necessary to maintain profitability.
The application of the Ru SAs/Co(OH)2 catalyst lies at the core of the system success. As a single-atom catalyst, its highly dispersed Mo atoms provide for an improved catalytic activity and selectivity over conventional multi-atom catalysts. This innovation makes it possible to couple oxidation and hydrogenation processes with high effectiveness, further reducing operating costs and improving yield.
Economic Viability of Scaled-Up Production
The studies show that if this new electrochemical process were to be scaled up, it could be economically practical for industrial adoption. Creating each ton of FDCA starting from HMF would be responsible directly for around $5,800 in sales. Unfortunately, that highlights the tremendous financial promise of this untested new technology.
This dual product output serves to maximize the use of all our resources and directly contributes to achieving global sustainability targets. As industries move toward environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chemical production processes, this electrochemical system offers a compelling solution.
“This research is a bit like turning a traditional single-lane road into a two-way street,” – Hao Li