Highly efficient PdNiB decorated over carbon supports for the electrochemical valorization of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural into fuels

Hydrogenation via electrocatalysis is an efficient and environmentally friendly method for converting biomass derivatives into biofuels. Developing an eco-friendly, robust, and sustainable electrocatalyst is essential for selectively producing biofuels from biomass derivatives. Herein, Palladium-Nickel-Boron nanoparticles with carbon supports (PdNiB/C) were prepared and characterized by different analytical methods. The obtained XRD patterns show the structures of Pd and NiO incorporated into the disordered graphite-like structures of date seed-activated carbon. PdNiB/C has high structural stability and exhibits high electrocatalytic activity in the conversion of biomass derivatives of furfural (FF) to furfural alcohol (FA) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-dihydroxymethyltetrahydrofuran (DHMTHF). The FA and DHMTHF hydrogenated products yields were tuned by changing the carbon supports (date seed activated carbon (DSAC), carbon black (CB), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)) and the elemental composition of Pd, Ni, and B of the PdNiB/C catalysts. The PN25/rGO catalyst with a Pd:Ni ratio of 1:3 showed the highest conversions of FF to FA and of HMF to DHMTHF with relatively high faradaic efficiencies. In electrochemical hydrogenation (ECH), the presence of boron enhanced the faradaic efficiencies (F.E.) by slowing down the competing HER. ECH conditions, including applied potential, temperature, and time, were also optimized to maximize the yield and selectivity of the hydrogenated products. This study showed the potential to convert biomass derivatives to biofuels for renewable energy production.