Efficient Electrosynthesis of Valuable <i>para</i> ‐Benzoquinone from Aqueous Phenol on NiRu Hybrid Catalysts

Abstract

Abstract Electrocatalytic oxidation of aqueous phenol to para ‐benzoquinone ( p ‐BQ) offers a sustainable approach for both pollutant abatement and value‐added chemicals production. However, achieving high phenol conversion and p ‐BQ yield under neutral conditions remains challenging. Herein, we report a Ni(OH) 2 ‐supported Ru nanoparticles (NiRu) hybrid electrocatalyst, which exhibits a superior phenol conversion of 96.5 % and an excellent p ‐BQ yield of 83.4 % at pH 7.0, significantly outperforming previously reported electrocatalysts. This exceptional performance benefits from the triple synergistic modulation of the NiRu catalyst, including enhanced phenol adsorption, increased p ‐BQ desorption, and suppressed oxygen evolution. By coupling a flow electrolyzer with an extraction‐distillation separation unit, the simultaneous phenol removal and p ‐BQ recovery are realized. Additionally, the developed electrocatalytic system with the NiRu/C anode displays good stability, favorable energy consumption, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions for phenol‐containing wastewater treatment, demonstrating its potential for practical applications. This work offers a promising strategy for achieving low‐carbon emissions in phenol wastewater treatment.