Interfacial Ruthenium Activation of Nickel Hydroxide Enabling Industrial‐Level Bio‐Plastic Monomer, 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic Acid, Production

ABSTRACT 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is regarded as a key bio‐derived platform chemical capable of replacing fossil‐based terephthalic acid, and its electro‐refining coupled with hydrogen production holds great promise. However, sluggish reaction kinetics arising from the insufficient adsorption of HMF intermediates and hydroxyl species ( * OH) limit ampere‐level co‐production of FDCA and H 2 . Herein, a strategy is proposed to optimize the co‐adsorption of key intermediates and * OH through Ru‐induced interfacial activation of the Ni(OH) 2 catalyst. Experimental and theoretical analyses show that Ru incorporation modulates the interaction with HMF and * OH, facilitates electron transfer, and reduces the energy barrier of the rate‐determining step (HMFCA * → HMFCA * + * OH), thereby markedly accelerates HMF electrooxidation. The resulting electrocatalyst delivers industrial‐level current densities of 589 and 1006 mA cm −2 at 1.50 and 1.60 V, respectively, while maintaining over 99% FDCA selectivity and HMF conversion.