Construction of Sc-NiFe-LDH electrocatalyst for highly efficient electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural at industrial current density

Abstract

Renewable electricity powered electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMFOR) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) offers a green and sustainable to produce the essential monomer for bio-polymers, providing that highly efficient electrocatalyst is present. Here, we show that the doping of Scandium (Sc) into the NiFe-LDH electrocatalyst (Sc-NiFe-LDH) considerably promoting the HMFOR by enhancing the formation of high-valence NiIII-O active sites, facilitating the electron transport and the HMF adsorption, and suppressing the oxygen evolution reaction. In the presence of Sc-NiFe-LDH electrocatalyst, FDCA faradic efficiency and selectivity of 96.5% and 99.5%, respectively, were achieved at a current density of >600 mA/cm2. The high performance is among the best electrocatalysts for this reaction, showing high promise in upgrading of biomass to valuable chemicals. This work would inspire further studies on the rational design of novel and efficient electrocatalysts for green and sustainable energy transformations.