Electrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid catalyzed by bio-inspired NiMn layered double hydroxide

The conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into value-added chemicals represents a sustainable bridge toward renewable carbon sources. Inspired by the function of the manganese framework in the active site of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) in natural photosynthesis, Ni1Mn5-LDH was developed as the most efficient Ni-based electrocatalyst for HMF oxidation to FDCA among the reported materials. A faradaic efficiency of 97% was achieved at 1.4 V (vs. RHE), resulting in FDCA production in a yield of 94.72%. An insight into the reaction pathway indicated that the oxidation of the CH2OH group to the CHO group was the rate-limiting step during HMF oxidation. The conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into value-added chemicals represents a sustainable bridge toward renewable carbon sources.