Device for preparation of p-benzoquinone by means of electrocatalytic oxidation of hydroquinone coupled with cathode hydrogen production by means of water electrolysis, and use thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for the preparation of p-benzoquinone by means of electrocatalytic oxidation of hydroquinone coupled with cathode hydrogen production by means of water electrolysis, and the use thereof. The hybrid water electrolysis system comprises an electrolyte, a separator, a membrane electrode, and an electrode plate having flow channels. In the present invention, an anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water electrolysis is replaced by the oxidation of hydroquinone, which can significantly reduce the voltage of the system. The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydroquinone to produce p-benzoquinone may be carried out under the condition of 0.7 V (vs. RHE), and compared with 1.8 V for OER, the electrical energy consumption of the system is reduced by nearly two-thirds. In the present invention, by means of selecting or synthesizing a catalyst, selecting a suitable ion exchange membrane, controlling the system voltage, etc., the system voltage for the electrocatalytic oxidation of hydroquinone coupled with hydrogen production by means of water electrolysis is successfully reduced, and the obtained product is single p-benzoquinone with a higher economic value and can be separated and obtained simply by means of filtration.

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