Cu-Ce MOF-based heterojunction catalysts for the electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Herein, a novel hydrothermal synthesis strategy is proposed for the preparation of novel Cu-Ce MOF heterojunction nano catalysts (CuCeO X /C) for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) electrooxidation reaction in this paper. CuCeO X /C exhibits superior catalytic performance, with the current density of CuCeO X /C reaching 100 mA cm −2 at a low potential of 1.408 V vs. RHE, and doubling to 280 mA cm −2 at a lower potential of 1.5 V vs. RHE. Under these conditions, the conversion of HMF reaches 100 %, with a selectivity of over 99.11 % for 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and a Faradaic efficiency of 97.76 %. Theoretical calculations and In-situ-EIS have demonstrated that Ce-based Cu-MOF heterojunction nanocatalysts enhance the adsorption energy of the CuCeO X /C catalysts on HMF substrates while also decreasing reaction energy barrier of HMFOR. Based on our work, the employment of CeCu/MOF heterojunction electrocatalysts for efficient electro-oxidation of HMF to FDCA paves a green and sustainable way for advancing sustainable chemical processes and biomass valorization. • A facile hydrothermal method was used for preparation of Cu-Ce MOF-based heterojunction catalysts. • 100 % conversion of HMF, 99.11 % selectivity of FDCA and 97.76 % Faradaic efficiency was achieved over CuCeO X /C. • The electronic structure and adsorption energy of HMF on CuCeO X /C were calculated by DFT.