Dual Modulation\nStrategy of NiMoO<sub><i>x</i></sub> Active Site by Ionic\nLiquid for Boosting Electrocatalytic\nHMF Oxidation Reaction

The electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)\nto produce\nvalue-added chemicals provides an efficient and economical way for\nthe sustainable development of society. However, the development of\nnovel, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly techniques for\nthe synthesis of electrocatalysts to improve HMF oxidation is still\na challenge. Herein, we adopted a novel dual modulation strategy based\non ionic liquid (IL) regulation to obtain F-doped amorphous nickel\nmolybdenum oxides (NiMoO<sub><i>x</i></sub>/NF-IL). The\nacquired NiMoO<sub><i>x</i></sub>/NF-IL showed excellent\ncatalytic activity (141.3 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>@1.40 V vs RHE), stability\n(20 successive cycles), and high yield and FE<sub>FDCA</sub> (all\nover 95%@1.40 V vs RHE) in electrocatalytic HMF oxidation reaction.\nSpecifically, the introduction of an amorphous structure endowed numerous\nunsaturated sites for the generation of catalytic active sites. Several\ncharacterization techniques and theoretical calculation results demonstrated\nthat F doping effectively modulates the coordination environment of\nthe NiOOH active species through its electronegativity, further improving\nthe adsorption behavior of the substrate. The combination of these\ninnate advantages makes NiMoO<sub><i>x</i></sub>/NF-IL exhibit\nexcellent performance in the electrocatalytic oxidation reaction of\nHMF to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid.