Preparation of a phosphorus-doped copper–nickel electrode and its application in electro-hydrogenation of 5-HMF

Abstract

5-HMF is considered as one of the important C₅ and C₆ platform compounds due to its numerous conversion products involving liquid fuels and high-value chemical feedstocks. High selectivity, no reagent waste, and cost efficiency are the major advantages of electrochemical catalysis. In this work, a Cu, Ni, P ternary electrode with a dendritic fractal structure was successfully prepared by electrodeposition. The electrodes prepared were characterized using SEM, XRD and XPS techniques. The effects of catalysis potential and time on the Cu_hs–Ni–P/CF electrode were analyzed at pH = 8.0. 85% FE and 89% selectivity of BHMF was achieved, showing both high activity and selectivity to BHMF. Meanwhile, the Cu_hs–Ni–P/CF electrode also displayed excellent stability during the electrocatalytic reduction of HMF. The catalyst was highly selective and reusable; besides the overall process is clean and green. In this work a novel dendritic fractal electrocatalyst has been prepared, providing a new pathway for the conversion of biomass to value-added chemicals.