Hydrogen and high-added value production through an innovative borate-boosted bio-alcohol upgrading

A novel borate-boosted process was investigated for producing hydrogen and high-value products from bio-alcohols. In cyclic batch operation, sodium metaborate promoted bio-alcohol dehydrogenation and carbon–carbon coupling at mild conditions. Bioethanol generated a hydrogen-rich gas containing over 95% H₂ at 30–45 bar, together with oxygenated compounds and oligoethylene products. Using crude glycerol, hydrogen selectivity reached approximately 55% v/v, while valuable chemicals such as 1,2-propanediol and aromatic resins were formed. The approach integrates low-carbon hydrogen production with carbon valorisation.