Issue 3, 2020

Coupling efficient biomass upgrading with H2 production via bifunctional CuxS@NiCo-LDH core–shell nanoarray electrocatalysts

Abstract

To boost hydrogen production from water splitting, the electrochemical oxidation of biomass-derived molecules to produce valuable chemicals is regarded as a promising approach to replace the kinetically sluggish oxygen evolution reaction. Herein, copper sulfide nanowire@NiCo-layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheet core–shell nanoarrays are fabricated as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) oxidation and water reduction to simultaneously produce value-added 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and hydrogen fuel with less energy consumption. Benefiting from the fast charge transfer induced by the CuxS core, the Co/Ni interaction in the LDH nanosheet layer and the open nanostructure, the optimized catalysts exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity (record-high 87 mA cm−2 @ 1.3 V vs. RHE for HMF oxidation; η = 107 mV @ 10 mA cm−2 for HER) and durability; the faradaic efficiency towards FDCA and H2 is close to unity. The bifunctional two-electrode electrolyzer only requires a low voltage of 1.34 V to co-generate H2 and FDCA at 10 mA cm−2. This work highlights the significance of tuning the redox properties of transition metals and constructing nanoarray electrocatalysts towards more efficient energy utilization.

Graphical abstract: Coupling efficient biomass upgrading with H2 production via bifunctional CuxS@NiCo-LDH core–shell nanoarray electrocatalysts

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 6 2019
Accepted
12 9 2019
First published
16 9 2019

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2020,8, 1138-1146

Coupling efficient biomass upgrading with H2 production via bifunctional CuxS@NiCo-LDH core–shell nanoarray electrocatalysts

X. Deng, X. Kang, M. Li, K. Xiang, C. Wang, Z. Guo, J. Zhang, X. Fu and J. Luo, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2020, 8, 1138 DOI: 10.1039/C9TA06917H

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