Corrosion-induced electrodes enhance biomass conversion efficiency
Biomass is one of the most abundant renewable resources on Earth and can be catalytically converted into fuels and chemicals as sustainable alternatives to fossil resources. It includes organic materials from plants, agricultural residues, forestry waste, and other biological sources, serving as feedstocks for bio-based chemicals, fuels, and materials. Biomass is classified into food-based sources (sugarcane, sugar beet, fruit waste, potato starch), non-food sources (wood, sawdust, crop residues like corn stover and wheat straw), and algal biomass (microalgae and macroalgae rich in polysaccharides). With its abundance, renewability, and eco-friendly nature, biomass plays a crucial role in sustainable development.
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) acts as a key bridge molecule, linking natural biomass to high-value downstream fine chemicals.
2,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) is used as a precursor for biodegradable polyesters, polyurethanes, and furan-based resins used in coatings, adhesives, and composites. It can be further transformed into environmentally friendly plastics, rubber products, pharmaceutical intermediates, and bio-based chemicals. When hydrogenated, it produces 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), a high-energy biofuel, and is used in fuel additives to enhance combustion efficiency. BHMF derivatives are employed as eco-friendly solvents and sustainable alternatives to formaldehyde-based chemicals in industrial processes. One promising pathway is the electrocatalytic conversion of HMF to BHMF, which offers an efficient route to producing high-quality bio-based chemicals. A key factor in this process is the design and optimization of cost-effective metal catalysts, which are essential for improving reaction efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability in electrocatalytic transformations. This study utilizes the principle of spontaneous metal corrosion to develop catalysts, offering a cost-effective strategy for producing highly efficient electrocatalysts for biomass conversion. Figure 1 presents a graphical representation of the corrosion-induced CoCuMW/CF electrode for the electroreduction of HMF to BHMF, while Figure 2 illustrates the synthetic routes for CuMW/CF and CoCuMW/CF.
Fig. 2: Illustration of the synthetic routes for CuMW/CF and CoCuMW/CF
Corrosion, typically linked to material degradation and economic losses, is repurposed here for biomass upgrading. CoCu microwire arrays (CoCuMW/CF) were fabricated on copper foam using cobalt ion-enhanced corrosion induction, enabling the efficient electrochemical reduction / hydrogenation (ECH) of HMF to BHMF. The CoCuMW/CF electrode achieved an impressive HMF conversion rate of 95.7% and a BHMF yield of 85.4% at -0.5 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in the neutral 0.5 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution, demonstrating superior hydrogenation performance in a neutral electrolyte. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the cobalt-modified Cu microwire arrays, which offer a high density of catalytic interfaces uniformly distributed across the electrode surface. Additionally, the activation energy (Ea) for HMF electrocatalytic reduction was 16.6±2.5 kJ·mol–1, significantly lower than that of various thermocatalytic systems, including Cu₁-Cu0 (39.0 kJ·mol–1), CuZnAl (70.9 kJ·mol–1), CoNi alloy (25.0 kJ·mol–1), ZnO-Fe3O4/Activated Carbon (28.2 kJ·mol–1), Brønsted acidic resin (25.7 kJ·mol–1), and Hf- lignosulfonate nanohybrids (62.3 kJ·mol–1). This remarkable reduction in activation energy underscores the superior efficiency of the electrocatalytic process.
Mechanistic analysis elucidated that the reaction pathway was primarily governed by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) mechanism at noble metal electrodes with lower hydrogen precipitation potentials. while the PCET mechanism is preferred at electrodes with higher hydrogen precipitation overpotentials, such as Pb.
Fig. 3: Proposed mechanism of the electrochemical hydrogenation of HMF over the CoCuMW/CF electrode
Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the CoCuMW/CF electrode lowers free energy barriers for HMF hydrogenation, enhancing catalytic performance and selectivity for BHMF production. This study demonstrates the potential of cost-effective copper-based electrocatalysts for efficient biomass upgrading, paving the way for accelerated HMF electrohydrogenation applications. Figure 3 illustrates the proposed mechanism for the electrochemical reduction of HMF over the CoCuMW/CF electrode.
B. Zhu, J. Yang, Q. Wang, X. Yu, S. Fan, W. Xie, J. Zhang, C. Chen: Corrosion-induced CoCu microwire arrays for efficient electroreduction of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, Chem Catalysis, 5, no. 4 (2025) 101259.
doi: 10.1016/j.checat.2024.101259
Wearable stress detection device uses Electrochemical Principles
Scientists from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a novel wearable device capable of detecting stress. This device, based on neuromorphic technology, mimics the functions of neurons and synapses, offering promising applications in health monitoring and advanced robotics (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4: Indian scientists develop wearable devices that can detect stress
At the core of this breakthrough is a silver nanowire network embedded within a stretchable material. When mechanical strain is applied, microscopic gaps form in the silver network, temporarily disrupting the electrical pathway. However, an electric pulse re-establishes these connections through electromigration, wherein silver ions move to bridge the gaps. This mechanism enables the device to “remember” stress events, mimicking the biological pain adaptation process.
Each cycle of stretching and reconnection alters the device’s electrical response over time, much like how the human body adjusts to repeated pain stimuli. This dynamic electrochemical process allows the device to exhibit both memory and adaptation, integrating sensing and response within a single flexible unit. As a result, it can function autonomously without the need for external sensors or complex electronic setups.
The researchers emphasize that this technology has the potential to transform health monitoring by providing real-time feedback on stress levels. Given that chronic stress is a major risk factor for conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes, this wearable device could significantly contribute to mental and physical well-being by detecting and responding to stress in real-time.
Beyond health monitoring, the electrochemical mechanisms in this technology hold significant potential to improve robotic systems. By incorporating similar adaptive responses, robots could become more intuitive and safer in human interactions, allowing for better collaboration in environments where human-machine cooperation is critical.
This research represents a major advancement in the development of intelligent materials capable of dynamically responding to their surroundings through electrochemical processes. The ability to simulate pain perception and adapt to repeated stimuli paves the way for smarter wearable devices and more responsive robotic systems, with far-reaching implications for both healthcare and industrial applications.
www.dst.gov.in/new-system-developed-wearable-devices-can-detect-stress
www.indiatribune.com/indian-scientists-develop-wearable-devices-that-can-detect-stress
www.siasat.com/indian-scientists-develop-wearable-devices-that-can-detect-stress-3165263/
https://health.medicaldialogues.in/health/indian-scientists-create-wearable-devices-to-monitor-stress-levels-141667
www.indiatvnews.com/health/indian-scientists-develop-wearable-device-that-mimics-pain-to-detect-stress-2025-01-19-972030
www.greaterkashmir.com/health/indian-scientists-develop-wearable-devices-to-detect-stress
www.biovoicenews.com/indian-scientists-develop-new-system-for-wearable-devices-to-detect-stress
Resilient Biomanufacturing: Shaping India’s Green Revolution
As India expands industrially, sustainable biomanufacturing and green chemistry are crucial for both environmental and economic resilience. Plastics, particularly PET, pose a significant waste challenge, with only 15% being recycled. A recent study by Harishankar et al. presents an ecofriendly method to upcycle PET into biofuels via alkali-catalysed depolymerization followed by microbial conversion in a bio electrochemical system. The process first breaks down PET into terephthalic acid using an alkaline hydrolysis reaction. This is then fed into a bio electrochemical reactor, where microbes, under a low external potential of +0.8 V, convert it into ethanol and butanol. The system enhances microbial metabolism, improving yield and efficiency while significantly lowering carbon emissions compared to conventional recycling (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5: Schematic of chemical hydrolysis and bio electrochemical upcycling of waste PET
India’s 304 billion US-Dollar chemical industry remains reliant on fossil-based inputs. Green chemistry offers a path to reduce imports, cut costs, and drive circular economy models. Despite adoption barriers, policy incentives and R&D investment can accelerate the transition. Biomanufacturing is not just an environmental necessity—it is an economic catalyst shaping India's industrial future.
Harishankar, K.; Vishnuvardhan, M.; Suresha, G.; Venkata Mohan, S.: Tandem chemical hydrolysis and bioelectrochemical upcycling of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for sustainable biobutanol and ethanol production ensuring plastics circularity, Green Chemistry, 27, no. 8 (2025) 2359-2373
doi: 10.1039/D4GC04985C
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/gc/d4gc04985c
Electrochemical Technologies for Sustainable Water Treatment and Resource Recovery
This work highlights energy-efficient electrochemical technologies for water treatment, resource recovery, and carbon management, focusing on future research and scalability.
- Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate (ERN) offers a cost-effective solution for nitrate pollution, with ongoing efforts to develop sustainable catalysts and improve long-term stability.
- Ni-doped Sb-SnO2 anodes effectively degrade pharmaceutical pollutants with lower energy use, providing a viable alternative to boron-doped diamond anodes for wastewater treatment.
- Reactive electrochemical membranes (REMs) enhance pollutant degradation through hydroxyl radical generation. Optimizing electrode design improves energy efficiency, with practical applications like algal bloom mitigation.
- Advancements in electrochemical hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production improve pollutant degradation. New systems achieve high H2O2 concentrations and better efficiency for water treatment.
- Capacitive deionization (CDI) faces economic challenges against reverse osmosis. Research aims to improve efficiency using advanced materials and hybrid systems for selective ion removal.
- Electrochemical methods enhance CO2 reduction and separation. Anion exchange membranes efficiently separate CO2 from dilute gas streams, supporting scalable carbon management.
- Research on lithium-ion battery recycling focuses on improving pyrometallurgical methods and optimizing material recovery. Eco-friendly MnO2 synthesis supports sustainable energy storage.
Brian P. Chaplin: Advanced Electrochemical Technologies for Water Treatment, Resource Recovery, and Sustainable Energy, ACS ES&T Eng., 5, no. 3 (2025) 566-568.
doi: 10.1021/acsestengg.5c00111. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsestengg.5c00111
Efficient Electrochemical Conversion of NO to High-Purity Nitric Acid
Nitric oxide (NO) emissions present major environmental concerns. A sustainable electrochemical method is reported for converting NO into salt-free, concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) using a carbon-based catalyst under near-ambient conditions. The system achieves >90% Faradaic efficiency (FE) at 100 mA cm–2 with pure NO and >70% FE with 0.5 vol% NO. Mechanistic insights highlight nitrous acid as a key intermediate, differing from traditional NO2 pathways. Using a vapor-fed membrane electrode assembly, the process directly produces 32 wt% HNO3 at 86% FE and 800 mA cm–2, without additives or downstream purification. This approach offers a sustainable path to convert NO into high-purity HNO3.
Xia, R., Dronsfield, S., Lee, A. et al.: Electrochemical oxidation of nitric oxide to concentrated nitric acid with carbon-based catalysts at near-ambient conditions, Nat. Catal., 8 (2025) 328-337.
doi:1038/s41929-025-01315-8.
www.nature.com/articles/s41929-025-01315-8
