Ethylene Glycol Electrochemical Reforming Using Ruthenium Nanoparticle-Decorated Nickel Phosphide Ultrathin Nanosheets

Two Swords Combined: The organic-inorganic hybridized PdMn bimetallenes for waste plastic upgrading

The electroreforming of ethylene glycol (EG) derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to prepare rewarding chemicals is an ideal solution to solve serious plastic pollution. A wet chemical method is used to synthesize organic-inorganic hybridized PdMn bimetallenes (PdMn O-BMs) catalyst. The PdMn O-BMs catalyst have a rich curled structure of nanosheets. The structural regulation of organic-inorganic hybrid significantly affects the adsorption energy of the reaction intermediates, thus improving the catalytic activity of the catalyst. PdMn O-BMs demonstrated superior performance compared to PdMn bimetallenes in the PET hydrolysate. This unique organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructure can effectively convert PET-derived EG into high-value products, such as glycolic acid (GA) and formate. This research not only unfolds a prospective strategy for the catalysts modified by organic ligand, but also brings about a new opportunity for the transformation of PET derivatives into high-value products.

Research progress of transition metal catalysts for electrocatalytic EG oxidation

Ethylene glycol (EG) is a small-molecule alcohol with a low oxidation potential and is a key monomer in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The efficient oxidation of EG can further enable the recycling of waste PET. Currently, there are many studies on catalysts for EG oxidation, among which transition metal catalysts (including traditional non-precious metals such as Fe, Co, Ni and other noble metals such as Pt and Pd) have good prospects for application in EG oxidation reactions due to their unique electronic structures. In this study, the synthesis strategy of transition metal catalysts for the electrocatalytic oxidation of EG is summarized and the performance of different types of catalysts in the EG oxidation reaction is reviewed. Advanced characterization methods were used to understand the oxidation mechanism of EG and to control the conversion of EGOR intermediates into target products. Therefore, we need to further explore efficient catalysts for EG oxidation to achieve efficient reactions.

Accelerated water dissociation kinetics by nickel-nickelous hydroxide epitaxial interfaces for superior alkaline hydrogen generation

The intrinsic performance of an electrocatalyst can be reinforced by constructing appropriate epitaxial interfaces, where the modulated electronic states and adsorption/desorption behaviors are conductive to enhancing electrocatalytic activity. Herein, nickel-nickelous hydroxide epitaxial interface supported on nickel foam (Ni-Ni(OH)2/NF) with epitaxial growth of nickel nanoparticles on the surface of nickelous hydroxide nanoribbons is devised for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Notably, the Ni-Ni(OH)2/NF reveals excellent electrocatalytic activity of alkaline HER (158 mV @ 100 mA cm-2), along with robust stability (90 % activity retention after 150 h continuous test at 200 mA cm-2). Theoretical simulations disclose the tuned interface electronic structure and accelerated water dissociation around the epitaxial nickel-nickelous hydroxide interface result in efficient electrochemical activity toward alkaline hydrogen evolution.

Bifunctional PdMoPt trimetallene boosts alcohol-water electrolysis

Substituting oxygen evolution with alcohol oxidation is crucial for enhancing the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at low voltages. However, the development of high-performance bifunctional catalysts remains a challenge. In this study, an ultrathin and porous PdMoPt trimetallene is developed using a wet-chemical strategy. The synergetic effect between alloying metals regulates the adsorption energy of reaction intermediates, resulting in exceptional activity and stability for the electrooxidation of various alcohols. Specifically, the mass activity of PdMoPt trimetallene toward the electrooxidation of methanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol reaches 6.13, 5.5, and 4.37 A mgPd+Pt -1, respectively. Moreover, the catalyst demonstrates outstanding HER activity, requiring only a 39 mV overpotential to achieve 10 mA cm-2. By employing PdMoPt trimetallene as both the anode and cathode catalyst, we established an alcohol-water hybrid electrolysis system, significantly reducing the voltage requirements for hydrogen production. This work presents a promising avenue for the development of bifunctional catalysts for energy-efficient hydrogen production.

Electrochemical Oxidation of Furfural on NiMoP/NF: Boosting Current Density with Enhanced Adsorption of Oxygenates

Substituting the low-value oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with thermodynamically more favored organic oxidation such as furfural oxidation reaction (FOR) is regarded as a perspective approach to decrease energy cost of hydrogen evolution from water splitting. However, the kinetic of FOR can be even more sluggish than OER under large current density. In this work, a strategy is proposed to accelerate FOR by enhancing the adsorption of oxygenates on active sites. Over the prepared NiMoP/NF anode, only 1.46 V versus RHE is required in furfural solution to achieve 500 mA cm-2 , significantly better than the OER activity over commercial RuO2 /NF under the same current density (1.57 V vs RHE).