In-suit growth of NiS quantum dots embedded in ultra-thin N,O,S-tri-doped carbon porous nanosheets on carbon cloth for high-efficient HMF oxidation coupling hydrogen evolution

The rational design and development of highly efficient non-precious metal chalcogenide electro-catalysts is key but challenging technology for biomass conversion into high-valued chemicals coupling hydrogen evolution. Herein, the NiS quantum dots (QDs) with good dispersibility embedding into wrinkled N,O,S-tri-doped carbon porous nanosheets ([email protected]) implanted in-situ on carbon cloth were synthesized via a facile one-step pyrolysis method. The as-obtained [email protected] porous nanosheets network displays excellent superhydrophilic/superaerophobic surface, facilitating fast diffusion of ion and release of H2 bubble. The self-supported [email protected] on carbon cloth could serve as both cathode and anode electrodes for high-efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into high-valued 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) coupling hydrogen evolution requiring only a low potential of 1.51 V to afford 50 mA cm−2. The high electrocatalysis performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of high activity of monodisperse NiS QDs, superhydrophilic/superaerophobic network structure, and the electronic regulation between NOSC and NiS QDs in [email protected], which has promising foreground to fulfil large-scale commercialize application.