High-Surface Area Mesoporous Sc 2 o 3 with Abundant Oxygen Vacancies as New and Advanced Electrocatalyst for Electrochemical Biomass Valorization.

Scandium oxide (Sc2 O3 ) is considered as omnipotent "Industrial Ajinomoto" and holds promise in catalytic applications. However, rarely little attention have been paid to its electrochemistry. Here, we reported the first nanocasting design of high-surface area Sc2 O3 with abundant oxygen vacancies (mesoporous VO -Sc2 O3 ) for efficient electrochemical biomass valorization. In the case of the electro-oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), quantitative HMF conversion, high yield and high faradic efficiency of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) via the hydroxymethylfurancarboxylic acid (HMFCA) pathway were achieved by this advanced electrocatalyst. The beneficial effect of the VO on the electrocatalytic performance of the mesoporous VO -Sc2 O3 was revealed by the enhanced adsorption of reactants and the reduced energy barrier in the electrochemical process. The concerted design, in-situ and ex-situ experimental studies and theoretical calculations shown in this work should shed light on the rational elaboration of advanced electrocatalysts, and contribute to the establishment of a circular carbon economy since the bio-plastic monomer and green hydrogen are efficiently synthesized. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.