Abstract
Biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a key platform molecule for producing high-value chemicals and clean fuels. This study presents a Cu(2)O-decorated BiVO(4) nanocomposite photocatalyst synthesized via a sol-gel-hydrothermal method, enabling efficient visible-light-driven oxidation of HMF to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) with simultaneous H(2) production. The p-n heterojunction formed between Cu(2)O and BiVO(4) promotes charge separation, enhancing photocatalytic activity. Under optimized conditions, the system achieved 49% DFF yield and 947 μmol/g H(2) in 8 h, maintaining high selectivity and stability over five cycles. The work offers a sustainable route for biomass valorization and clean energy generation.