Citation: Ziyu Zhao, Tianyue Qian, Changyu Yan, Xinhua He, Zhou Xu, Wenjing Li, Zhiling Xin, Huifang Zhang, Xuefeng Qian, Jiantao Zai. Efficient electrochemical bromine extraction from low-concentration brine via a flow electrolyzer[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(9): 111439. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111439 shu

Efficient electrochemical bromine extraction from low-concentration brine via a flow electrolyzer

Ziyu Zhao ^a ,
Tianyue Qian ^{a, *,} ,
Changyu Yan ^a ,
Xinhua He ^a ,
Zhou Xu ^a ,
Wenjing Li ^a ,
Zhiling Xin ^{b, *,} ,
Huifang Zhang ^{c, *,} ,
Xuefeng Qian ^a ,
Jiantao Zai ^{a, *,}

a.
Shanghai Electrochemical Energy Devices Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240, China
b.
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Materials Protection and Advanced Materials in Electric Power, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090, China
c.
Key Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China

qiantianyue@sjtu.edu.cn

xinzhiling@126.com

zhanghf@isl.ac.cn

zaijiantao@sjtu.edu.cn

Received Date: 12 April 2025
Revised Date: 4 June 2025
Accepted Date: 10 June 2025
Available Online: 10 June 2025

Figures(6)

Bromine, a vital industrial chemical raw material with extensive applications, faces extraction challenges from diluted underground brine due to high energy consumption and low efficiency in conventional methods. In this study, we introduce a CO₂ activation of acid-thermal treated graphite felt (AHGF-Y) as a highly effective negative electrode for bromine extraction, achieving remarkable efficiency exceeding 90%. With enriched oxygen-containing functional groups introduced by CO₂ activation serving as active sites, the engineered bromine extraction electrodes demonstrates superior bromine oxidation reaction (BrOR) under high Cl/Br ratio conditions. Coupled with hydrogen production, in electrolyte with a Cl/Br ratio of 38, AHGF-Y operated at a low overpotential and achieved remarkable bromine extraction efficiency (94%), with minimal energy consumption (1.61 kJ/g). Notably, when applied to underground brine with high Cl/Br ratio of 255 and multiple interfering ions, AHGF-Y maintained extraction efficiency of 95.5%, significantly outperforming other reported works. Furthermore, AHGF-Y achieved an near-unity Faradaic efficiency (F.E.) of up to 99.7% in a scale-up hydrogen-bromine flow cell (HBFC), enabling simultaneous bromine extraction and hydrogen production. These results highlighted the potential of AHGF-Y as a sustainable and efficient material for large-scale bromine extraction from underground brine.
- Hydrogen-bromine flow cell,
- CO₂ activation,
- Bromine extraction,
- Low-concentration brine,
- Electrochemical oxidation
1. [1]
  X. Zhang, X. Wang, J. Gao, et al., Chem. Eng. Process. 204 (2024) 109949. doi: 10.1016/j.cep.2024.109949
2. [2]
  I. Cohen, B. Shapira, E. Avraham, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 52 (2018) 6275–6281. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00282
3. [3]
  Q. Wang, J. Wang, G. Zhang, et al., R. Soc. Open Sci. 6 (2019) 191138. doi: 10.1098/rsos.191138
4. [4]
  X. Zhang, Z. Ji, F. Liu, et al., Sep. Purif. Technol. 248 (2020) 117108. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2020.117108
5. [5]
  W. Zhang, S. Chai, X. Hao, et al., E3S Web Conf. 375 (2023) 03011. doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/202337503011
6. [6]
  X. Zhang, W. Zhao, Y. Zhang, et al., Rev. Environ. Sci. Biotechnol. 20 (2021) 333–361. doi: 10.1007/s11157-021-09570-4
7. [7]
  X. Yin, R. Li, W. Li, et al., Desalination 592 (2024) 118088. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2024.118088
8. [8]
  X. Zhou, Z. Ji, J. Wang, et al., J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 10 (2022) 107946. doi: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.107946
9. [9]
  B. Sharkh, A. Al-Amoudi, M. Farooque, et al., NPJ Clean. Water 5 (2022) 1–16.
10. [10]
  W. Tu, Y. Zhao, W. Chan, et al., Water Res. 251 (2024) 121096. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.121096
11. [11]
  M. Suss, V. Presser, Joule 2 (2018) 10–15. doi: 10.1016/j.joule.2017.12.010
12. [12]
  M. Elimelech, M. Wilf, Science 333 (2011) 712–717. doi: 10.1126/science.1200488
13. [13]
  S. Porada, R. Zhao, A. Wal, et al., Prog. Mater. Sci. 58 (2013) 1388–1442. doi: 10.1016/j.pmatsci.2013.03.005
14. [14]
  L. Tang, W. Lu, X. Li, et al., Energy Storage Mater. 70 (2024) 103532. doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2024.103532
15. [15]
  M. Sun, G. Lowry, K. Gregory, Water Res. 47 (2013) 3723–3731. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.04.041
16. [16]
  D. Desai, E. Beh, S. Sahu, et al., ACS Energy Lett. 3 (2018) 375–379. doi: 10.1021/acsenergylett.7b01220
17. [17]
  K. Ariyappan, P. Ragupathy, M. Ulaganathan, J. Electrochem. Soc. 168 (2021) 090566. doi: 10.1149/1945-7111/ac2707
18. [18]
  C. Zhang, J. Ma, L. Wu, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 55 (2021) 4243–4267. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06552
19. [19]
  X. Gao, A. Omosebi, J. Landon, et al., Energy Environ. Sci. 8 (2015) 897–909. doi: 10.1039/C4EE03172E
20. [20]
  Naresh, K. Satchidhanandam, K.R. Ilancheran, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 12 (2024) 14669–14678. doi: 10.1039/d4ta02590c
21. [21]
  T. Le, M. Bechelany, M. Cretin, Carbon 122 (2017) 564–591. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2017.06.078
22. [22]
  K. Kim, Y. Kim, J. Kim, et al., Mater. Chem. Phys. 131 (2011) 547–553. doi: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2011.10.022
23. [23]
  P. Yang, S. Dong, Y. Shu, et al., Molecules 29 (2024) 5015. doi: 10.3390/molecules29215015
24. [24]
  K. Hatzell, M. Hatzell, K. Cook, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 49 (2015) 3040–3047. doi: 10.1021/es5055989
25. [25]
  Y. Chang, J. Chen, D. Kabtamu, et al., J. Power Sources 364 (2017) 1–8.
26. [26]
  M. Montes-Morán, R. Young, Carbon 40 (2002) 857–875. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6223(01)00207-X
27. [27]
  C. Wang, Q. Lai, P. Xu, et al., Adv. Mater. 29 (2017) 1605815. doi: 10.1002/adma.201605815
28. [28]
  X. Sun, D. Wang, H. Hu, et al., Trans. Tianjin Univ. 30 (2024) 74–89. doi: 10.1007/s12209-023-00380-z
29. [29]
  M. Wu, R. Zhang, K. Liu, et al., J. Power Sources 442 (2019) 227255. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.227255
30. [30]
  J. Fu, L. Zhu, K. Jiang, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 415 (2021) 128982. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.128982
31. [31]
  C. Qiu, L. Jiang, Y. Gao, et al., Mater. Des. 230 (2023) 111952. doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2023.111952
32. [32]
  R. Siegelman, E. Kim, J. Long, Nat. Mater. 20 (2021) 1060–1072. doi: 10.1038/s41563-021-01054-8
33. [33]
  H. Li, M. Zhang, M. Wang, et al., ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 11 (2023) 7378–7387. doi: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c00148
34. [34]
  H. Chen, J. Chen, D. Chen, et al., J. Mater. Sci. 54 (2019) 5625–5640. doi: 10.1007/s10853-018-2993-x
35. [35]
  L. Feng, B. Yan, C. Wang, et al., Preparation of porous activated carbon materials and their application in supercapacitors, in: A. Uthaman, et al. (Eds.), Advanced Functional Porous Materials, Springer, Cham, 2022, pp. 587–612.
36. [36]
  T. Li, X. An, D. Fu, Energy Fuels 36 (2023) 191138.
37. [37]
  M. Boota, K. Hatzell, M. Beidaghi, et al., J. Electrochem. Soc. 161 (2014) A1078. doi: 10.1149/2.072406jes
38. [38]
  G. Jeanmairet, B. Rotenberg, M. Salanne, et al., Chem. Rev. 122 (2022) 6456–6493.
39. [39]
  S. Vargheese, R. Kumar, Y. Haldorai, et al., Electrochemical double layer capacitors, in: S. Thomas, et al. (Eds.), Nanostructured Materials for Supercapacitors, Springer, Cham, 2022, pp. 27–52.
40. [40]
  V. Jadhav, R. Mane, P. Shinde, et al., Electrochemical supercapacitors: History, types, designing processes, operation mechanisms, and advantages and disadvantages, in: V. Jadhav, et al. (Eds.), Bismuth-Ferrite-Based Electrochemical Supercapacitors, Springer, Cham, 2020, pp. 11–36.
41. [41]
  Y. Zhang, A. Iqbal, J. Zai, et al., Org. Chem. Front. 9 (2022) 436–444. doi: 10.1039/D1QO01588E
42. [42]
  Y. Han, G. Su, J. Zhou, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 10 (2022) 17652–17658. doi: 10.1039/d2ta03338k
43. [43]
  L. Dai, D.W. Chang, J.-B. Baek, et al., Small 8 (2012) 1130–1166. doi: 10.1002/smll.201101594
44. [44]
  S. Ding, Q. Chen, S. Chen, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 34 (2023) 108232. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108232
1. [1]
  Xueyang Zhao , Bangwei Deng , Hongtao Xie , Yizhao Li , Qingqing Ye , Fan Dong . Recent process in developing advanced heterogeneous diatomic-site metal catalysts for electrochemical CO₂ reduction. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(7): 109139-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109139
2. [2]
  Xubin Qian , Lei Xu , Xu Ge , Zhun Liu , Cheng Fang , Jianbing Wang , Junfeng Niu . Can perfluorooctanoic acid be effectively degraded using β-PbO₂ reactive electrochemical membrane?. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(7): 109218-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109218
3. [3]
  Zonglin Li , Shihua Zou , Zining Wang , Georgeta Postole , Liang Hu , Hongying Zhao . Machine learning in electrochemical oxidation process: A mini-review. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(8): 110526-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110526
4. [4]
  Wenxiao Zheng , Jianyu Pan , Xin Luo , Huanxin Ma , Rundong Chen , Chunhua Feng . Tandem photochemical reduction-electrochemical oxidation process for extensive mineralization of refractory cyanuric acid in wastewater. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(9): 112434-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112434
5. [5]
  Muhammad Humayun , Mohamed Bououdina , Abbas Khan , Sajjad Ali , Chundong Wang . Designing single atom catalysts for exceptional electrochemical CO2 reduction. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(1): 100193-100193. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2023.100193
6. [6]
  Liangzhen Hu , Li Ni , Ziyi Liu , Xiaohui Zhang , Bo Qin , Yan Xiong . A Green Chemistry Experiment on Electrochemical Synthesis of Benzophenone. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(6): 350-356. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202312001
7. [7]
  Yuqing Zhong , Mengmeng Jiang , Deyong Yang , Nan Feng , Ying Sun , Huimin Wang , Feng Zhou . Nickel-catalyzed electrochemical carboxylation of propargylic esters with CO₂ to 2,3-allenoic acids. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(12): 111169-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111169
8. [8]
  Tianbo Jia , Lili Wang , Zhouhao Zhu , Baikang Zhu , Yingtang Zhou , Guoxing Zhu , Mingshan Zhu , Hengcong Tao . Modulating the degree of O vacancy defects to achieve selective control of electrochemical CO₂ reduction products. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(5): 108692-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108692
9. [9]
  Yufei Jia , Fei Li , Ke Fan . Surface reconstruction of Cu-based bimetallic catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(3): 100255-100255. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100255
10. [10]
  Qian-Qian Tang , Li-Fang Feng , Zhi-Peng Li , Shi-Hao Wu , Long-Shuai Zhang , Qing Sun , Mei-Feng Wu , Jian-Ping Zou . Single-atom sites regulation by the second-shell doping for efficient electrochemical CO₂ reduction. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(9): 109454-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109454
11. [11]
  Tinghui Yang , Min Kuang , Jianping Yang . Mesoporous CuCe dual-metal catalysts for efficient electrochemical reduction of CO2 to methane. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(8): 100350-100350. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100350
12. [12]
  Zekun Zhang , Shiji Li , Qian Zhang , Shanshan Li , Liu Yang , Wei Yan , Hao Xu . Further study of CO₂ electrochemical reduction to gas products on Cu: Influence of the electrolyte. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(9): 110742-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110742
13. [13]
  Jundi Qin , Dezhong Hu , Dong Xiang , Xiongwu Kang . CuMoRuFeW high entropy alloy surfaced nanorods: Superior electrochemical CO2 reduction to ethylene. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(5): 100571-100571. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100571
14. [14]
  Chuncheng Xu , Suqin Han , Kaiyang Zhang , Qiuling Feng , Lan Bao , Mingming Gao , Wen-Yan Gao , Yen Leng Pak , Hongyu Mou , Liwei Chen , Xing Gao , Yuchen Hao . Structure–function correlation and design principles of two-dimensional bismuth nanosheets for efficient electrochemical CO₂ reduction. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(3): 112179-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112179
15. [15]
  Yan Qiao , Yanan Wang , Mengfan Li , Dun Li , Wenchuan Lai , Hongwen Huang . Mitigating the carbonate issues in electrochemical CO₂ reduction: Fundamental understanding and design strategies. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(5): 111861-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111861
16. [16]
  Liang Ma , Zhou Li , Zhiqiang Jiang , Xiaofeng Wu , Shixin Chang , Sónia A. C. Carabineiro , Kangle Lv . Effect of precursors on the structure and photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4 for NO oxidation and CO2 reduction. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(11): 100416-100416. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100416
17. [17]
  Dan Shao , Yujing Lyu , Chengyuan Liu , Hao Wang , Ning Ma , Hao Xu , Wei Yan , Xiaohua Jia , Haojie Song . Attracting magnetic BDD particles onto Ti/RuO₂-IrO₂ by using a magnet: A novel 2.5-dimensional electrode for electrochemical oxidation wastewater treatment. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(6): 110641-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110641
18. [18]
  Yanping Qiu , Lei Ge . Low-coordination Cu3 motif for selective photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to ethanol. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(11): 100716-100716. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100716
19. [19]
  Hui Bian , Xinyi Yuan , Nan Zhang , Zhuo Xu , Juhong Lian , Ruibin Jiang , Junqing Yan , Deng Li , Shengzhong (Frank) Liu . Correlating vacancy-defect density with CO₂ activation for promoted CO₂ methanation over CsPbBr₃ photocatalyst. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(7): 111034-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111034
20. [20]
  Lihui Ou , Zhancheng Liu , Dai-Huo Liu , Zhi Zhang . Cl-adsorbed Cu(111)/H₂O interface selectively realizes electrochemical CO₂ reduction towards C₂H₄ product: Mechanistic understanding. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(2): 111920-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111920

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(8)
HTML views(0)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142