Unveiling the Adsorption Behavior and Redox Properties of PtNi Nanowire for Biomass-Derived Molecules Electrooxidation

Abstract

Ni-based materials are auspicious electrocatalysts for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction (HMFOR), including the adsorption and conversion of HMF and OH_ad on the electrocatalyst surface. However, the intrinsic HMFOR activity of Ni-based catalysts is far from satisfactory due to the weak adsorption of HMF and OH_ad species. Herein, a set of Pt_<i>x</i>Ni_100-<i>x</i> bundle nanowires (NWs) were prepared for HMFOR, which enables a low onset-potential and large current density. Operando methods reveal that Pt modulates the redox property of Ni in PtNi NWs and accelerates the oxidation of Ni²⁺-OH to Ni³⁺-O species during HMFOR. Moreover, the adsorption studies demonstrate the synergetic roles of Pt and Ni in enhancing the HMFOR activity by forming Pt-O-Ni bonds. In detail, Ni atoms modulate the d band of Pt to alter the adsorption behavior of HMF. Pt atoms promote the adsorption of OH_ad on Ni sites. This work provides design principles for HMFOR electrocatalysts by modulating the adsorption behaviors of organic molecules and OH_ad.