NiCo alloy nanoparticles anchored on mesoporous Mo2N nanosheets as efficient catalysts for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural electrooxidation and hydrogen generation

Construction of highly active and stable bifunctional catalysts for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction (HMFOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is meaningful but remains a challenge. Herein, the NiCo–Mo2N heterostructure nanosheets catalyst with excellent HMFOR/HER performance is obtained by a simple hydrothermal and calcination method. The heterogeneous interface between NiCo and Mo2N induces electron redistribution, regulating the electronic structure of the catalyst and thus optimizing the adsorption/desorption behavior of HMFOR/HER intermediates. Consequently, NiCo–Mo2N/NF exhibits superior catalytic activity with a potential of 1.14 VRHE/−17 mVRHE (HMFOR/HER) at ±10 mA cm−2, and the HMF conversion rate, FDCA yield, and Faradaic efficiency (FE) are ∼100%, 99.98%, and 98.65%, respectively. Besides, it only requires a low voltage of 1.36 V to achieve 100 mA cm−2 for HMFOR-assisted H2 production. This study provides a strategy for the development of efficient bifunctional catalysts for sustainable production of high value-added products and hydrogen.