This invention discloses a Co3O4 / CeO2
composite electrode, its preparation method, and an
electrosynthesis method for epoxides. The Co3O4 / CeO2
composite electrode comprises
carbon paper and a Co3O4 / CeO2
nanoneedle composite material supported on the
carbon paper. This invention uses the Co3O4 / CeO2
nanoneedle composite material as the anodic
electrocatalyst to prepare epoxides in a
chloride-mediated
aqueous solution system with olefins as substrates under low /
room temperature and
atmospheric pressure via anodic electrooxidation. The
electrosynthesis method of this invention uses water as the sole
oxygen source, eliminating the need for external peroxides,
molecular oxygen, or other hazardous oxidants. The
reaction conditions are mild,
environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient, exhibiting both
high activity and high stability. It is applicable to the electro-epoxidation reactions of various olefin substrates, solving problems such as severe
oxygen evolution side reactions, poor catalyst stability, and difficulty in balancing activity and selectivity in existing technologies.