Efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid with Fe-Ni3S2@NiFe-PBA nanocubes

Abstract

The electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) represents a promising avenue for generating value-added products derived from biomass. Nevertheless, the development of highly efficient electrocatalysts for HMF electrooxidation (HMFOR) remains an ongoing challenge. In this study, we present a novel approach wherein Fe-doped Ni3S2@NiFe-PBA nanocubes are synthesized directly on three-dimensional nickel foam (NF) substrates using a straightforward hydrothermal reaction and subsequent impregnation. This composite Fe-Ni3S2@NiFe-PBA/NF catalyst showcases exceptional performance in HMFOR (a faraday efficiency of 97.4 %), characterized by both its remarkable conversion (100 %) and impressive FDCA yield (97.1 %), coupled with its robust stability over ten cycles. The heightened HMFOR activity exhibited by the Fe-Ni3S2@NiFe-PBA/NF catalyst can be contributed to the introduction of Fe into the Ni3S2 matrix. This deliberate doping strategy engenders accelerated charge transfer kinetics, an increased abundance of accessible surface-active sites, and improved conductivity, thereby enhancing the overall HMFOR performance. By establishing these outcomes, this investigation lays a foundation for the prospective design of electrocatalysts with applications in biomass utilization and energy conversion.