Ultrathin layered double hydroxides nanosheets array towards efficient electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural coupled with hydrogen generation

Electrochemical organic oxidation into commodity products coupled with hydrogen evolution in aqueous media serves as a promising formulation for harvesting both value-added chemicals and clean energy. However, how to develop electrocatalysts for efficient oxidize organic compounds with depressed side-reaction (oxygen evolution reaction, OER) still remains a challenge. Herein, we report an integrated efficient electrocatalyst for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) based on ultrathin layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanosheet array (NSA) exposed with abundant oxygen vacancies. A high faradaic efficiency at a high potential (99.4% at 1.52 V vs. RHE) is achieved, which implies largely depressed OER process and stands at the highest level compared with previously reported electrocatalysts. Furthermore, A two-electrode electrolyzer was also assembled based on the LDHs NSA, giving rise to a much low voltage for HMF oxidation, a high H2 yield of 44.16 L h−1 m−2 as well as excellent stability.