Promoted Formation of Catalytically Active Species in Ni Nanoparticles by Low Content Ru Doping for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural

Ni-based nanomaterials have broad application prospects in the electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to produce high value-added products. To enable the efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of HMF, it is significant to promote the formation of catalytically active species in Ni-based nanomaterials. Herein, low content Ru doped Ni nanoparticles (NiRu NPs) confined in porous carbonaceous nanospheres (PCNS) are proposed as advanced electrocatalysts for the HMF oxidation reaction (HMFOR). Because of Ru doping, NiRu@PCNS can catalyze the HMFOR at a low potential with a high current density, exhibiting a nearly 100% yield of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and high stability. It is found that Ru doping can alter the reaction pathway of HMFOR and boost the formation of the Ru–NiOOH active species. Moreover, theoretical calculation results indicate that Ru doping reduces the adsorption energy of HMF and enhances the electronic interaction between catalytically active species and HMF. This study develops an efficient Ni-based catalyst for the HMFOR and proposes a profound understanding of the oxidation mechanism of HMF.