An efficient catalyst from electrochemical self-reconstruction of NiFePBA/Ni(OH)2 for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural electrooxidation to produce high-valued 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid

Abstract

The utilization of sustainable lignocellulosic biomass for the production of high-value products could potentially solve the intensive reliance on fossil fuels. 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), obtained from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) oxidation, is a significant precursor for biomass converted high-value chemicals. Nowadays, the rational design of pre-catalysts via electrochemical self-reconstruction provides an opportunity to design efficient catalysts for electrooxidation process. In this study, we developed a pre-catalyst consisting of nanoscale cubic NiFePBA anchored on Ni(OH)₂. After electrochemical reconstruction, it demonstrated superior HMF oxidation reaction (HMFOR) performance. The results demonstrate that the electrochemical self-reconstruction process converts nanoscale cubic NiFePBA into nanosheeted metal oxyhydroxide, resulting in the formation of an oxygen defect-rich heterostructure with Ni(OH)₂. This reconstruction process also enhance the electrochemically active surface area, thereby increasing the number of active sites. The combined effect of increased active sites and oxygen defects significantly enhances the HMF adsorption and the HMFOR activity. In situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further reveals that the reconstructed NiFePBA/Ni(OH)₂-R exhibits accelerated reaction kinetics and reduced reaction potential during the electrocatalytic oxidation of HMF. The NiFePBA/Ni(OH)₂-R catalyst exhibited exceptional electrochemical performance, achieving a high current density of 50 mA·cm^–2 at a relatively low potential of 1.43 V vs. RHE. This performance is characterized by a remarkable 99.1 % conversion of HMF, 98.5 % selectivity for FDCA, and a Faradaic efficiency of 94.2 %. This study offers valuable insights for the development of high-performance HMFOR electrocatalysts.