Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Cu2O–Cu2S Heterojunction Nanostructures on Copper Foams for Furfural Electrohydrogenation

• Published in: ACS applied nano materials 2024-04, Vol.7 (7), p.8113-8120
• Main Authors: Shen, Hao-Jie, Guo, Hai-Yan, Wen, Shi-Ya, Zhang, Lu, Feng, Jiu-Ju, Wang, Ai-Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2574-0970; 2574-0970
• DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.4c00712

In the pursuit of environmentally benign electrohydrogenation processes for furfural (FF) conversion, we innovatively synthesized Cu2O–Cu2S heterojunction nanostructures on copper foams (Cu2O–Cu2S@CF), as derived from the metal–organic framework (MOF) through a two-step method. Capitalizing on the porous structure and electronic tunability of the MOF, the heterostructured Cu2O–Cu2S@CF catalyst was meticulously controlled by modulating precursor types and optimizing the calcination treatment. This electrocatalyst demonstrated outstanding efficiency in the electrohydrogenation of FF to furfuryl alcohol (FA), achieving a very low potential of −93 mVRHE at −10 mA cm–2 and rapid kinetics. Its remarkably stable performance was validated by the cycling tests. Simultaneously, the catalyst exhibited exceptional selectivity (99.3%) and yield (98.5%) in the conversion of FF to FA, even in the presence of competitive reactions. This study provides some valuable insights for green and sustainable conversion of biomass-based compounds into high value-added products by electrocatalysis.