Electrosynthesis of Co-Doped Cu Mesh Catalyst for HMF Oxidation Reaction

Graphical A modified synthesis method on Cu mesh simplifies and enhances the catalyst preparation process and efficiency at a much lower cost. The synergistic interplay between Co and Cu species is further investigated during the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction. The Co-doped Cu mesh catalyst's scalability, cost-effectiveness, and robust performance underscore its potential for industrial applications in 5-hydroxymethylfurfural electrooxidation. The growing demand for sustainable alternatives to fossil-derived chemicals has spurred significant interest in biomass valorization, with 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) emerging as a key platform molecule. In this study, an electrochemical synthesis strategy was employed to synthesize a bimetallic Co-doped Cu mesh catalyst for the HMF oxidation reaction. It exhibited remarkable electrooxidation activity during a 3-h reaction at 1.6 V versus RHE with 83.2% HMF conversion, 99.4% 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) selectivity, and 87.7% Faraday efficiency. X-ray diffraction, in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the modified Cu mesh catalyst introduced more Co 3 O 4 species. Additionally, in situ attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy elucidated that Cu species on the Co-doped Cu mesh can adsorb *OH and couple with organic molecules during the reaction process. Cu─Co dual active sites enhance the selective electrochemical oxidation of HMF toward FDCA.