Abstract

Here, CuO nanorods fabricated via PLAL were decorated with Ir, Pd, and Ru NPs 

(loading ~7-wt.%) through a PLIL processes. The resulting NPs-decorated CuO 

nanorods were characterized spectroscopically and employed as multifunctional 

electrocatalysts in OER, HER, and the furfural oxidation reactions (FOR). Ir–CuO 

nanorod affords the lowest overpotential ~345-mV in HER and 414-mV in OER at 10 

mAcm−2, provided the highest 2-furoic acid (~10.85-mM) yield with 64.9% selectivity, 

and the best Faradaic efficiency ~72.7% in 2-h of FOR at 1.58-V (vs. RHE). In-situ 

electrochemical-Raman analysis of the Ir–CuO detected the crucial intermediates 

formation, such as Cu(III) oxide, Cu(OH)2, and Irx(OH)y, on the electrode–electrolyte 

surface, which act as a promoter for HER and OER. The Ir–CuO||Ir–CuO in a coupled 

HER and FOR-electrolyzer operated at ~200 mV lower cell voltage compared with 

conventional electrolyzer and embodies the dual advantage of both energy-saving H2 

and 2-furoic acid production.