Study on hydrogen generation and cornstalk degradation by redox coupling of non-noble metal Fe3+/Fe2+

Environmental application of cornstalk and production of hydrogen from biomass are two vital research topics. Herein, a low-cost easy preparing strategy was proposed for trying to give a solution. Non-noble metal of Fe ion was used as an oxidizing agent and electron stockpile carrier for degrading cornstalk and providing e − to the cathode. Using proton exchange electrolysis technique, it can realize H 2 production with a Faraday Efficiency of 94.65%. Different influence factors including temperature, electrolytic potential and electrolytic current density were studied. To the degradation products , the preliminary analyses by SEM, FT-IR, GC-MS and 2D HSQC NMR were given. The results demonstrate that Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ -cornstalk electrolytic system could give a new pathway for environmental application of cornstalk and production of hydrogen.