Direct epoxidation of propylene with water at a PtOx anode using a solid-polymer-electrolyte electrolysis cell

Direct electro-epoxidation of C3H6 with water was achieved using a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) electrolysis cell. The PtOx anode produced propylene oxide (PO) at a formation rate of 37 μmol h−1 cm−2 with a faradic efficiency of 7.4% by applying a potential of 1.60 V (SHE) to the anode. Characterisation studies successfully revealed that Pt oxide species (Pt(ii) and Pt(iv)) are strongly related to the catalysis for the electro-epoxidation of C3H6. It is speculated that active oxygen species on the Pt oxide derived from water enable the impressive activity for PO production.