CO2-free energy circulation system—Polymer electrolyte alcohol electro-synthesis cell with a low iridium content anode based on in situ growth method.

• In situ growth method to prepare a binder-free IrO x -Ti (IT) anode with a very low IrO x loading amount is described. • The synthesized catalyst shows a high oxygen evolution reaction activity and durability in acidic media. • A flow-type polymer electrolyzer (polymer electrolyte alcohol electrosynthesis cell) that efficiently synthesized glycolic acid from oxalic acid is described. Alcohol is considered as a potential CO 2 -free energy carrier to replace hydrogen because of its high energy density, appropriate chemical stability and low-cost production. In this study, we describe the development of a simple in situ growth method to prepare a binder free IrO x -Ti anode with a very low IrO x loading amount (< 0.25 mg cm−2), and the obtained catalyst shows a high oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and durability in acidic media. The performance of a polymer electrolyte alcohol electrosynthesis cell (PEAEC) using this anode catalyst shows a better performance than that of PEAEC using a typical commercial IrO 2 -Ti paper anode with the loading of IrO 2 = 3 mg cm−2. Furthermore, the key factors that affect the performance of the PEAEC are determined by comparing the performances of the PEAEC with different anode catalysts. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]