Evaluating the Native Oxide of Titanium As an Electrocatalyst for Oxalic Acid Reduction

Herein, we show that unmodified titanium electrodes bearing the naturally-forming native TixOy coating display superior activity for the electroreduction of oxalic acid to glyoxylic acid and glycolic acid compared to Ti-based electrodes that have been deliberately modified for this purpose, in terms of both oxalic acid conversion and overall yields of reduced products. Titanium electrodes bearing the naturally-forming native oxide coating are competent for the electroreduction of oxalic acid to glyoxylate and glycolate.