Tuning Ni–O/Ni–S coordination for efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid

Abstract

A sulfur-doped nickel catalyst with tunable Ni–O/Ni–S coordination is developed for sustainable non-noble metal electrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). Sulfur doping modulates the electronic environment of adjacent Ni atoms, thereby enhancing HMF–Ni interaction and achieving 99.9% FDCA yield with 92.9% faradaic efficiency.