Mn species-induced high-efficiency nickel hydroxide electrocatalyst for co-production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and hydrogen

Hybrid water electrolysis is a potential system for simultaneously efficiently producing hydrogen and value-added chemicals. Owing to the superior electrochemical oxidation capabilities, Ni-based electrocatalysts have emerged as the dominant electrocatalyst for the anode in hybrid water electrolysis systems. However, the slow catalytic conversion of Ni-based electrocatalysts limits their further development for oxidation reactions. Herein, we prepared an efficient anodic Ni-based electrocatalyst under Mn species-induced effects for the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction, achieving co-production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and hydrogen. Such an anodic electrocatalyst has a capability of promoting the Ni species oxidation to high valence active species NiOOH, leading to the rapid conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to the 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid products efficiently. Furthermore, the catalyst was used as an anodic catalyst for a membrane electrode assembly electrolyzer with about 20% lower energy consumption for hydrogen production, enabling the preparation of 4.65 g of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid products. Such a catalyst design concept will facilitate the rational design of Ni-based catalysts based on the electrochemical reaction mechanism, which promotes the development of green hydrogen production and the hybrid water electrolysis system.