Electrochemical conversion of biomass-derived molecules is widely regarded as a sustainable pathway for producing value-added chemicals while reducing reliance on fossil resources. Among these molecules, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a key platform compound that can be selectively oxidized into high-value products such as 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). However, the electrooxidation of HMF is often hindered by sluggish charge transfer, inefficient electron–proton coupling, and unfavorable interfacial reaction environments, limiting both activity and energy efficiency.
A research team from Nanchang University has now developed a heterojunction electrocatalyst that addresses these challenges through interface engineering. By constructing a CeO₂/β-Ni(OH)₂ heterojunction electrode via an in situ electrodeposition strategy, the researchers demonstrated a synergistic approach that integrates built-in electric field regulation with enhanced surface hydrophilicity to significantly improve HMF electrooxidation performance.
The study was led by Professor Dan Zhao from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Nanchang University, with Professor Rongping Zhou from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University serving as a corresponding author. The work was carried out by first authors Jie Hu and Sheng Liao, in collaboration with researchers from both institutions.
In the designed heterojunction, intimate interfacial contact between CeO₂ and β-Ni(OH)₂ gives rise to a built-in electric field at the interface. This internal field promotes directional charge transfer and accelerates the formation of active NiOOH species during electrochemical operation. At the same time, the introduction of CeO₂ significantly enhances the surface hydrophilicity of the electrode, improving substrate affinity and facilitating the transport of HMF molecules and hydroxide ions to the active sites.
“Efficient electron–proton transfer is essential for multi-electron oxidation reactions such as HMF electrooxidation,” said Dan Zhao. “By coupling interfacial electric field effects with improved wettability, we were able to regulate both charge transfer and interfacial reaction kinetics in a coordinated manner.”
Electrochemical measurements showed that the CeO₂/β-Ni(OH)₂ heterojunction electrode exhibits markedly enhanced catalytic activity, fast reaction kinetics, and excellent selectivity toward FDCA formation. Mechanistic analyses further revealed that the heterointerface plays a critical role in optimizing the reaction pathway by facilitating electron–proton coupling while suppressing undesired side reactions.
Beyond improving catalytic performance, the study highlights a general strategy for biomass electrocatalysis. Rather than relying solely on increasing the number of active sites, the work demonstrates how interfacial electric fields and surface properties can be rationally engineered to control reaction environments and energy efficiency.
The findings offer a promising direction for the sustainable production of bio-based chemicals and contribute to the broader development of green electrocatalytic technologies.
About the Group
The Advanced Catalytic Materials Research Group at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University is led by Professor Chao Chen, PhD supervisor. Professor Chen received his PhD degree from Jilin University and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Diego. One of the corresponding authors of this work is Professor Dan Zhao, PhD supervisor, who obtained her PhD degree from Tsinghua University and served as a visiting scholar at Aarhus University, Denmark. Other group members include Associate Professor Shunmin Ding, Associate Professor Shuhua Wang, Senior Experimentalist Shengjun Deng, Senior Experimentalist Weiming Xiao, and Assistant Researcher Shunli Shi.
Relying on the Industrial Catalysis discipline platform of the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Nanchang University, the group focuses on serving regional development in Jiangxi Province. Taking the practical requirements of fine chemical production as the research entry point, the team is dedicated to developing efficient, stable, and environmentally friendly catalytic materials. The main research areas include: (1) development of key materials and processes for organosilicon purification; (2) development and application of functional ultrafine powders and porous materials; and (3) catalytic process development for the synthesis of fine chemicals via biomass conversion and hydrogen-related transformations. The group has established in-depth collaborations with Jiangxi Guangyuan Chemical Co., Ltd., Jiangxi Chenguang Co., Ltd., and Dongguan Betely New Materials Co., Ltd., among others, and some products have been successfully industrialized. More detailed information about the group can be found at: https://www.x-mol.com/groups/chen_chao1
About Nano Research
Nano Research is a peer-reviewed, open access, international and interdisciplinary research journal, sponsored by Tsinghua University and the Chinese Chemical Society, published by Tsinghua University Press on the platform SciOpen. It publishes original high-quality research and significant review articles on all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology, ranging from basic aspects of the science of nanoscale materials to practical applications of such materials. After 18 years of development, it has become one of the most influential academic journals in the nano field. Nano Research has published more than 1,000 papers every year from 2022, with its cumulative count surpassing 7,000 articles. In 2024 InCites Journal Citation Reports, its 2024 IF is 9.0 (8.7, 5 years), and it continues to be the Q1 area among the four subject classifications. Nano Research Award, established by Nano Research together with TUP and Springer Nature in 2013, and Nano Research Young Innovators (NR45) Awards, established by Nano Research in 2018, have become international academic awards with global influence.
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