As a pure and sustainable source of power, hydrogen (H₂) is the desired chemical candidate for the future energy mix. Water electrolysis has been regarded as an effective method for producing clean and ultrapure hydrogen gas. However, its large-scale applications are hampered by its slow kinetics, particularly due to its slow anodic half-reaction i.e., the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Another strategy based on chemical-assisted electrocatalytic energy-saving hydrogen production has recently been developed with great potential to address barriers associated with OER. In this case, OER is replaced by organic oxidation reactions that are thermodynamically more favorable, which substantially reduces the voltage required for H₂ evolution and also facilitates the co-production of organic value-added products. Oxidation of biomass derivatives, such as alcohols, is the most suitable strategy for producing value-added chemicals with energy-saving hydrogen production. This Review focuses on the characteristics of making electrolytic hydrogen production more cost-efficient by using different alcohols. We have reviewed the fundamentals and key parameters for alcohol-assisted electrochemical hydrogen production and discussed several anodic alcohol oxidation reactions with value-added products. The choice of electrocatalysts, strategies to increase the reaction selectivity, and the possible cell architectures are elaborated in detail.

中文翻译：

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醇辅助节能制氢电催化剂的最新进展

作为一种纯净且可持续的动力来源，氢 (H ₂ ) 是未来能源组合的理想化学候选物。水电解被认为是生产清洁和超纯氢气的有效方法。然而，其缓慢的动力学阻碍了其大规模应用，特别是由于其缓慢的阳极半反应，即析氧反应（OER）。最近开发的另一种基于化学辅助电催化节能制氢的策略具有解决与 OER 相关的障碍的巨大潜力。在这种情况下，OER 被热力学上更有利的有机氧化反应所取代，这大大降低了 H ₂所需的电压并促进有机增值产品的联合生产。醇类等生物质衍生物的氧化是生产具有节能制氢的增值化学品的最合适策略。本综述重点介绍了通过使用不同的醇使电解制氢更具成本效益的特点。我们回顾了醇辅助电化学制氢的基本原理和关键参数，并讨论了几种具有增值产品的阳极醇氧化反应。详细阐述了电催化剂的选择、提高反应选择性的策略以及可能的电池结构。