This lecture explores alternative anodic reactions to replace water oxidation in electrochemical systems. It focuses on three key approaches:

1. Electrochemical Oxidation of Ethanol – Ethanol can serve as an alternative electron donor, undergoing oxidation to produce value-added products such as acetaldehyde or acetic acid while generating protons and electrons for energy applications.
2. Decarboxylation of Acetate – This reaction enables the conversion of acetate into CO₂ and valuable organic intermediates, offering a sustainable route for biomass-derived feedstocks in electrochemical processes.
3. Redox Mediators for Selective Oxidation – The use of redox-active species facilitates controlled and selective oxidation reactions, improving efficiency and enabling tailored transformations of organic molecules.

By leveraging these alternative anodic reactions, the lecture highlights strategies to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in electrochemical systems.

Prof. Dr. Guido Mul is a leading scientist in development of sustainable processes, by preparation and performance evaluation of electrodes and photocatalysts. His expertise includes evaluation of the fundamental aspects of electro- and photocatalytic reactions by use of Raman and Infrared spectroscopy, as well as the engineering of electrochemical cells. Guido published over 200 peer-reviewed papers. He chairs the discipline of chemical engineering at the UT, is a member of CBBC, a member of the CCPTS council (Chemical Conversion, Process Technology, and Synthesis (Top Sector Chemistry)), editorial board member of the international journals “ChemElectroChem“ and “ACS Environmental Science & Technology – Engineering”, and presently cooperates with industry in various Public-Private consortia, such as RELEASE, and Groenvermogen-HYPRO.