Jianghui Qiu, Zhixin Jing, Dongping Zhan, Juan Peng
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-derived ethylene glycol into high-value formate enables dual environmental and economic benefits. Here, we developed a SnO2/NF electrode that achieved exceptional formate production via PET upcycling, delivering 99.8% Faraday efficiency and a superior production rate of 3.24 mmol cm−2 h−1. Mechanistic studies revealed that the ethylene glycol oxidation reaction on SnO2/NF followed an electrochemical-chemical cascade pathway, NiOOH served as the active site, while SnO2 functioned as an “electron transfer layer” and a catalytic modulator. The oxygen-affinity sites of SnO2 effectively suppressed the competing activity of oxygen evolution reaction and concurrently shifted the d-band center of the active Ni center toward the Fermi level. This electronic structure modulation facilitated the adsorption and conversion of aldehyde intermediates, thereby significantly enhancing the selectivity for formate production. In a paired electrolysis system (POR||CO2RR), the electrode achieved an apparent Faraday efficiency of 182% for formate at a cell voltage of 2.9 V. This study provides novel insights for designing low-cost and high-performance electrocatalysts for the value-added conversion of waste PET plastics.
期刊介绍:
The Chemical Engineering Journal is an international research journal that invites contributions of original and novel fundamental research. It aims to provide an international platform for presenting original fundamental research, interpretative reviews, and discussions on new developments in chemical engineering. The journal welcomes papers that describe novel theory and its practical application, as well as those that demonstrate the transfer of techniques from other disciplines. It also welcomes reports on carefully conducted experimental work that is soundly interpreted. The main focus of the journal is on original and rigorous research results that have broad significance. The Catalysis section within the Chemical Engineering Journal focuses specifically on Experimental and Theoretical studies in the fields of heterogeneous catalysis, molecular catalysis, and biocatalysis. These studies have industrial impact on various sectors such as chemicals, energy, materials, foods, healthcare, and environmental protection.