Selective Electrochemical Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Diformylfuran with NiAl Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheet Catalysts
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The selective oxidative transformation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a key route toward producing a wide variety of chemicals in the biorefinery industry. Herein, we report a NiAl layered double hydroxide (NiAl-LDH) catalyst as a great electrocatalytic oxidation catalyst in transformation of HMF into 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF), a high-valuable furan-based chemical, with over 75.53% DFF selectivity in neutral condition, and it demonstrated good stability without deactivation after 9 times of repeated electrolysis. The NiAl-LDH electrocatalyst was deposited on a nickel foam support via a hydrothermal method and its structural properties and surface morphology were extensively investigated. Systematic studies of reaction temperature, current intensity, and electrolyte concentration revealed that the neutral electrolyte plays a critical role in achieving high DFF selectivity by suppressing aldehyde over-oxidation. Mechanistic investigations with electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Tafel slope and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the reversible transformation between Ni(OH)2 and active NiOOH species in the NiAl-LDH electrocatalyst was the main reason for the oxidation of HMF, while the incorporation of Al provided structural support to the electrode, enabling the catalyst to exhibit excellent stability during electrolysis. Overall, this work demonstrates an active earth-abundant metal electrocatalyst for biomass-derived 5-HMF-to-DFF valorization.
Source: Catalysts
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,654
Award: G6146325254
OpenAlex ID: W7161942571