Inspiration of Bimetallic Peroxide for Controllable Electrooxidizing Ethylene Glycol Through Modulating Surficial Intermediates

Abstract

AbstractBiomass feedstock ethylene glycol (EG) can be anodically oxidized to the high‐value glycolic acid (GA), which is widely considered as one critical raw material of biodegradable plastics. Developing low‐cost electrocatalyst to economically produce GA with high selectivity still meeting challenges. Herein, a non‐precious Co‐Ni bimetal catalysts are developed for controllable electrooxidizing EG to GA (EGOR). Through regulating the generation of key intermediate (CH2OH‐CO*) on the low‐cost catalyst surface, a successive electrooxidation from EG to GA has been achieved with high selective (96.3%) and conversion rate (>85%) at current density of 150 mA cm−2, which is on par with the reported precious metal catalysts. Through coupling with hydrogen evolution reaction (EGOR‐HER), 2.759 mmol H2 and 7.48 mmol of GA are generated at 80 mA cm−2, which also can save 27% energy comparing with a water splitting system. The synergistic effect between Co and Ni in the bimetallic catalyst has been exploited: high‐valent CoOOH sites catalyzed the generation of CH2OH‐CO* and reduce the energy barrier during GA formation; Whereas, Ni sites can effectively facilitate the formation of CoOOH and improve the adsorption of EG.