Insight into the catalytic mechanism of core-shell structured Ni/Ni-N/CN catalyst towards the oxidation of furfural to furancarboxylic acid

Developing low-cost and sustainable non-noble-metal catalysts for the efficient oxidation conversion of biomass derived furfural to high value-added chemicals has evoked considerable interest. In this contribution, we report a facile and green core-shell structure N-doped carbon-supported nickel catalyst (Ni/Ni-N/CN), which exhibits excellent activity for the oxidation of furfural and other investigated aldehydes to corresponding carboxylic acid. Based on experimental studies, the synergy of Ni and Ni-N species in Ni/Ni-N-CN boosted the outstanding catalytic efficiency. The Ni site in Ni/Ni-N-CN contributes to the adsorption and activation of the aldehyde group in furfural, while the Ni-N site provides a stronger electron transfer ability and basicity of the Ni/Ni-N/CN catalyst, thus facilitates the activation of oxygen and abstraction of hydrogen during furfural oxidation process. Remarkably, Ni/Ni-N/CN-5 offered an outstanding FA formation rate of 4.13 mol(FA).mol(Ni)(-1).h(-1), which was far more than that of the ever-reported non-noble catalysts. More importantly, the as-prepared Ni/Ni-N/CN catalyst also presents great stability and reusability. The present work provides an efficient catalytic strategy toward selective oxidation reactions.

Automated summary

This study reports a facile and green core-shell structure N-doped carbon-supported nickel catalyst, which exhibits excellent activity and efficiency for the oxidation of furfural and other aldehydes. The catalyst shows outstanding stability and reusability, providing an effective catalytic strategy for selective oxidation reactions.