Industrial-scale ethylamine via green electrosynthesis

From dyes to pharmaceuticals to emulsifiers, ethylamine (EA) is a versatile ingredient used in many industries. The disadvantage of EAs is that their creation is very complex and energy-intensive. However, simplifying EA manufacturing in a way that can be scaled up to industrial levels is not an easy task.

Researchers at Tohoku University’s WPI-AIMR may have found the answer to this problem. Rare earth Eu atoms modified on Cu2Nanoneedles for producing catalyst (Eu-Cu)2O) It can increase the efficiency of the chemical reaction that produces EA. This means that production no longer consumes as much energy. Remarkably, this reaction achieves an EA Faraday efficiency of 98.1% and can operate continuously for up to 420 h. To date, this discovery holds the record for the longest reported activity while maintaining stability, all under industrial conditions.

(a) Comparison of conventional thermal, catalytic, and electrocatalytic routes in AN hydrogenation. While thermal routes often have low selectivity and generate undesirable byproducts, electrochemical approaches allow for greener and more selective EA synthesis. (b) Electronic structure modulation of metal sites induced by Eu doping. This shows the possibility of tuning the adsorption configuration of key reaction intermediates. (c) Proposed mechanism for Eu-mediated transition from planar π-adsorption to vertical N-edge vertical adsorption of AN intermediates to promote efficient protonation and suppress competitive hydrogen evolution. ©Han Do et al.

This study introduced a unique rare earth atom-mediated strategy to achieve industrial-scale electrosynthesis of ethylamine under mild conditions. By precisely adjusting the electronic structure of Cu,2This method enables a unique switch in the acetonitrile adsorption configuration through the introduction of atomic europium, overcoming the long-standing challenges of loss of selectivity and instability at ampere-level currents.

(a) LSV curve at a scan rate of 10 mV s−1 in an electrolyte of 1.0 m KOH and 1.0 m KOH containing 8 wt.% AN. (b) 1H NMR of products from Eu-Cu2O@NF and Cu2O@NF; (c) Eu-Cu FE, selectivity, and (d) EA yield2O@NF and Cu2O@NF under different bias potentials. (e) Eu-Cu polarization curve2O@NF and Cu2O@NF in the AEM reactor; (f) Chronopotentiometry test and corresponding FE results. (g) Expansion of high value-added products using AN-ECH’s EA: (1a) Ethylamine hydrochloride. (2a) Antiproliferative agent precursor. (3a) Vitamin K3 derivative. (4a) Enrofloxacin derivatives. (5a) Simazine. (6a) Atrazine, yields are indicated after the label number. ©Han Do et al.

The significance of these discoveries extends beyond the laboratory, as the developed catalyst supports continuous, energy-efficient production of EA, an essential precursor for pharmaceuticals, pesticides, etc., using electricity and water instead of fossil-derived hydrogen. This advancement represents a significant step towards sustainable electrochemical manufacturing for a low-carbon future.

The findings were published in Advanced Materials on January 20, 2026.

Theoretical insights on AN-ECH: (a) Surface Pourbaix diagram of Eu-Cu2O@NF and (b) Cu2O@NF; (c) Baader charge of Eu-Cu2O@NF surface. (d) Eu-Cu ELF map2O@NF and Cu2O@NF; (e) Gibbs free energy diagram and corresponding geometric structure on Eu-Cu2O@NF and Cu2O@NF; (f) COHP map of Cu-N bond of AN adsorbed on Eu-Cu2O@NF and Cu2O@NF; (g) PDOS map of AN absorbed in Eu-Cu2O@NF, the inset of the figure shows the band-resolved charge density, and the blue and yellow represent the wave functions of two different phases. (h) COHP map of Cu-N bond in EA absorbed by Eu-Cu2O@NF and Cu2O@NF. ©Han Do et al.
Publication details:

title: Eu atom-mediated acetonitrile adsorption configuration switch facilitates long-duration ampere-level electrosynthesis of ethylamine in an AEM electrolyzer

author: Han Du, Xuan Wang, Meng Li, Ransheng Lv, Caikang Wang, Wentao Xue, Liangcheng Li, Dongmei Sun, Yawen Tang, Hao Li, Gengtao Fu

journal: advanced materials

Doi: 10.1002/adma.202521105

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