NiCo alloy nanoparticles anchored on mesoporous Mo_(2)N nanosheets as efficient catalysts for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural electrooxidation and hydrogen generation

Construction of highly active and stable bifunctional catalysts for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction(HMFOR)and hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)is meaningful but remains a challenge.Herein,the NiCo–Mo_(2)N heterostructure nanosheets catalyst with excellent HMFOR/HER performance is obtained by a simple hydrothermal and calcination method.The heterogeneous interface between NiCo and Mo_(2)N induces electron redistribution,regulating the electronic structure of the catalyst and thus optimizing the adsorption/desorption behavior of HMFOR/HER intermediates.Consequently,NiCo–Mo_(2)N/NF exhibits superior catalytic activity with a potential of 1.14 V_(RHE)/−17 mV_(RHE)(HMFOR/HER)at±10 mA cm^(−2),and the HMF conversion rate,FDCA yield,and Faradaic efficiency(FE)are∼100%,99.98%,and 98.65%,respectively.Besides,it only requires a low voltage of 1.36 V to achieve 100 mA cm^(−2)for HMFOR-assisted H2 production.This study provides a strategy for the development of efficient bifunctional catalysts for sustainable production of high value-added products and hydrogen.