This invention relates to a photoelectrocatalytic reaction device without
external bias and its applications, belonging to the field of
energy materials and
catalysis technology. The invention utilizes
nanosheet nickel hydroxide, prepared by electrodeposition on hydrophilic
carbon paper, as a catalyst for the oxidation of 5-
hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). A binuclear
copper molecule is synthesized as a
carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction catalyst via a
reflux reaction of 1,2-bis(
diphenylphosphine)
benzene and
copper bromide. The HMF oxidation catalyst is connected to the
anode of a triple-junction
gallium arsenide battery, encapsulated, and placed in the
anode chamber. A hydrophobic
carbon paper loaded with the binuclear
copper molecule catalyst is connected to the
cathode. Under no
external bias, the
anode efficiently oxidizes HMF to FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid) through the synergistic effect of
nickel hydroxide and tetramethylpiperidine
oxide (TEMPO), while the
cathode simultaneously reduces CO2. This
system exhibits
high selectivity, high conversion rate, and excellent
catalytic efficiency. The device is reusable, and the catalyst preparation is simple and the raw materials are inexpensive and readily available.