Glycol Oxidation Research Articles

Boosting electrochemical oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide coupled with organic oxidation

The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is appealing due to its sustainability. However, its efficiency is compromised by the competing 4e− ORR pathway. In this work, we report a hierarchical carbon nanosheet array electrode with a single-atom Ni catalyst synthesized using organic molecule-intercalated layered double hydroxides as precursors. The electrode exhibits excellent 2e− ORR performance under alkaline conditions and achieves H2O2 yield rates of 0.73 mol gcat−1 h−1 in the H-cell and 5.48 mol gcat−1 h−1 in the flow cell, outperforming most reported catalysts. The experimental results show that the Ni atoms selectively adsorb O2, while carbon nanosheets generate reactive hydrogen species, synergistically enhancing H2O2 production. Furthermore, a coupling reaction system integrating the 2e− ORR with ethylene glycol oxidation significantly enhances H2O2 yield rate to 7.30 mol gcat−1 h−1 while producing valuable glycolic acid. Moreover, we convert alkaline electrolyte containing H2O2 directly into the downstream product sodium perborate to reduce the separation cost further. Techno-economic analysis validates the economic viability of this system.

Formulation of double microemulsion based on pH-responsive PEG/PVA/zinc oxide as a potential nano-platform for drug delivery: Green synthesis, and physico-chemical characterization

The current workdeveloped a novel kind of pH-sensitive nanocarrier by combining a hydrogel nanocomposite composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with an extensive surface area.To provide quality control, the nanocarriers were synthesizedusing the water/oil/water (W/O/W) emulsifying method to deliver quercetin (QC). Considering the compelling possibility of QCas a cancer treatment, it is imperative to overcome the challenges associated with its rapid release and poor solubility. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to assess the nanocarrier’s crystalline structure and component interactions.The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrationsconfirmed the surface uniformity of the nanocarrier and its spherical morphology. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential provide information on the nanocarrier’saveragesize, surface charge, and stability variations.High QC loading and encapsulationefficiencies were obtained, which were further improved uponaddition of ZnO NPs.The release kinetics of drug-loaded PEG/PVA/ZnO nanocomposites were investigated at pH=5.4 and pH=7.4, revealing an excellent controlledpH-sensitive release profile.The in vitro cytotoxicity of the nanocomposites was evaluated by MTT assay.As a result, a diminution in the total number of viableMCF-7 breast cancer cells when subjected to PEG/PVA/ZnO nanocomposites, compared with PEG/PVAsamples and the control groupsample, suggests that the addition of ZnO NPs has improved the cytotoxic activity of the nanocomposite.Hence, applyingPEG/PVA hydrogel encapsulated with ZnO NPs demonstrates significant promise inpH-sensitivecontrolled drug release.

N-terminal acetylation orchestrates glycolate-mediated ROS homeostasis to promote rice thermoresponsive growth.

Climate warming poses a significant threat to global crop production and food security. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing thermoresponsive development in crops remains limited. Here we report that the auxiliary subunit of N-terminal acetyltransferase A (NatA) in rice OsNAA15 is a prerequisite for rice thermoresponsive growth. OsNAA15 produces two isoforms OsNAA15.1 and OsNAA15.2, via temperature-dependent alternative splicing. Among the two, OsNAA15.1 is more likely to form a stable and functional NatA complex with the potential catalytic subunit OsNAA10, leading to a thermoresponsive N-terminal acetylome. Intriguingly, while OsNAA15.1 promotes plant growth under elevated temperatures, OsNAA15.2 exhibits an inhibitory effect. We identified two glycolate oxidases (GLO1/5) as major substrates from the thermoresponsive acetylome. These enzymes are involved in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) biosynthesis via glycolate oxidation. N-terminally acetylated GLO1/5 undergo their degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This leads to reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, thereby promoting plant growth, particularly under high ambient temperatures. Conclusively, our findings highlight the pivotal role of N-terminal acetylation in orchestrating the glycolate-mediated ROS homeostasis to facilitate thermoresponsive growth in rice.

Au enables PdAu aerogel efficient catalysts for oxygen reduction and C2 alcohol oxidation

Metallic aerogels (MAs) with self-supporting three-dimensional (3D) porous structures constitute a potential platform for the construction of robust catalysts. In this work, we successfully constructed 3D PdAu MAs with the optimized d-band electron of Pd and geometrical lattice expansion using a maneuverable in-situ seed-mediated strategy at room temperature. The introduction of Au accelerated the kinetics of Pd4Au3 MAs toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR), and ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in alkaline electrolyte, boosting the activity and stability of Pd4Au3 MAs. The mass activities of Pd4Au3 MAs/C in ORR, EGOR and EOR were 1.74, 8.57, and 9.54 A mgPd−1, respectively, which were remarkably better than those of referenced Pd MAs/C, commercial Pt/C and Pd/C. The rotating ring-disk electrode measurement illustrated that Pd4Au3 MAs/C achieved a 4-electron transfer process in ORR from O2 to OH−. In-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that Pd4Au3 MAs/C enabled the cleavage of the C–C bonds, thus accomplishing the C1-complete oxidation of 10-electron ethylene glycol and 12-electron ethanol. This study provides an efficient strategy to fabricate binary non-Pt alloy aerogels as high-performance multifunctional electrocatalysts for ORR, EGOR, and EOR.

Surface Modifications of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Chitosan, Polyethylene Glycol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, and Polyvinylpyrrolidone as Methylene Blue Adsorbent Beads.

Due to the negative impacts the dye may have on aquatic habitats and human health, it is often found in industrial effluent and poses a threat to public health. Hence, to solve this problem, this study developed magnetic adsorbents that can remove synthetic dyes like methylene blue. The adsorbent, in the form of beads, consists of a polymer blend of chitosan, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (average size of 19.03 ± 4.25 nm). The adsorption and desorption of MB from beads were carried out at pH values of 7 and 3.85, respectively. At a concentration of 9 mg/L, the loading capacity and the loading amount of MB after 5 days peaked at 29.75 ± 1.53% and 297.48 ± 15.34 mg/g, respectively. Meanwhile, the entrapment efficiency of MB reached 29.42 ± 2.19% at a concentration of 8 mg/L. The cumulative desorption capacity of the adsorbent after 13 days was at its maximum at 7.72 ± 0.5%. The adsorption and desorption kinetics were evaluated.

Rapid synthesis of PdCu nanosheets with enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward polyalcohol oxidation reaction

Reasonable design of Pd-based catalysts with specific composition and morphology is of great importance for promoting the commercial application.of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). Recently, two-dimension (2D) with high density of defects and massive low-coordinated surface atom has become research highlights in the field of catalysis. Herein, we report a wet chemical method for synthesizing PdCu nanosheets with abundant wrinkles. The ultrathin two-dimensional structure endows catalysts plentiful catalytic active sites and large specific surface area, improving atomic utilization efficiency. The formation of bimetallic PdCu alloy structure leads to the adjustment of Pd electronic structure, resulting in lattice compression effect. Benefitting from the structural and compositional characteristics, PdCu nanosheets (NSs) exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) and glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) with the mass activity of 7031 mA mg−1/5117 mA mg−1, which is 4.4/3.9 times higher than that of commercial Pd/C catalysts. Furthermore, the remained mass activity of PdCu NSs is 3991/3851 mA mg−1 after the durability measurement for EGOR/GOR, which confirm PdCu NSs possesses superior stability. We believe that our synthetic strategy could provide robust reference for the development of high-performance eletrocatalysts.

Interfacial effects in Ni(OH)2/MnO@Ni aerogel heterostructures promote highly efficient electrooxidation of ethylene glycol to formate and hydrogen

The sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER: 4OH− → O2 + 2H2O + 4e−, E = 1.23 V vs RHE) retards the large-scale hydrogen production. Replacing OER with low-potential ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) to drive water splitting is a promising approach to solve the high energy consumption in hydrogen production. Herein, we report an energy-efficient electrocatalytic water splitting system by using a heterostructure Ni(OH)2/MnO aerogel catalyst (NiMn AG) that replaces OER with ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR), resulting in the co-production of value-added formate and green hydrogen. Owing to the optimized electron distribution on the heterostructure interface, the NiMn AG catalyst exhibits excellent EGOR catalytic performance, with an overpotential of only 290 mV at 100 mA cm−2. The open-circuit potential of the reaction is reduced to 0.86 V for EGOR, rendering an earlier occurrence of electron transfer. The ion chromatography (IC) result demonstrates a highly selectivity (96%) for formate in EGOR. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the interfacial effects between Ni(OH)2 and MnO optimizes the surface energy states of NiMn AG, improving the adsorption efficiency of the reaction intermediates for EGOR and further promoting the efficient cleavage of C–C to form formate. Additionally, the incorporation of MnO stabilizes the overall energy state during violent bond-breaking processes. This work sheds light on a new methodology to design bimetallic catalysts assisted by EGOR for decoupled green hydrogen production.

Advancing BiVO4 Photoanode Activity for Ethylene Glycol Oxidation via Strategic pH Control.

The photoelectrochemical (PEC) conversion of organic small molecules offers a dual benefit of synthesizing value-added chemicals and concurrently producing hydrogen (H2). Ethylene glycol, with its dual hydroxyl groups, stands out as a versatile organic substrate capable of yielding various C1 and C2 chemicals. In this study, we demonstrate that pH modulation markedly enhances the photocurrent of BiVO4 photoanodes, thus facilitating the efficient oxidation of ethylene glycol while simultaneously generating H2. Our findings reveal that in a pH = 1 ethylene glycol solution, the photocurrent density at 1.23 V vs. RHE can attain an impressive 7.1 mA cm-2, significantly surpassing the outputs in neutral and highly alkaline environments. The increase in photocurrent is attributed to the augmented adsorption of ethylene glycol on BiVO4 under acidic conditions, which in turn elevates the activity of the oxidation reaction, culminating in the maximal production of formic acid. This investigation sheds light on the pivotal role of electrolyte pH in the PEC oxidation process and underscores the potential of the PEC strategy for biomass valorization into value-added products alongside H2 fuel generation.

Integration of physical information and reaction mechanism data for surrogate prediction model and multi-objective optimization of glycolic acid production

With the continuous development of the chemical industry, the concept of advocating green development has become increasingly popular. Glycolic acid (GA), serving as the monomer for biodegradable plastic polyglycolic acid, plays a crucial role in combating plastic pollution and fostering an eco-friendly society. The selective oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) to produce GA represents a novel green production technology. Controlling reaction parameters to achieve multi-objective optimization of product distribution and direct CO2 emissions is crucial for scaling up the process. With the advent of the big data era, the integration of the chemical industry with artificial intelligence to achieve engineering scale-up is an important trend. This study proposes a neural network model for production prediction and optimization. The model is trained using experimental data, reaction mechanism data, and physical information, enabling rapid prediction of GA production. After validating with 40% of experimental data and 16% of reaction mechanism data, the model's prediction error was within ±5%, and the linear correlation coefficient R2 between the predicted values and actual values was 0.998. Furthermore, this study integrated a multi-objective optimization algorithm based on the model, enabling surrogate optimization of reaction parameters during production. After optimization, the direct CO2 emissions were reduced by over 99% and overall greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 4.6%. The research paradigm proposed in this research can offer guidance and technical support for the optimized operation of EG selective oxidation to GA.

Advancing the Frontiers of Neuroelectrodes: A Paradigm Shift towards Enhanced Biocompatibility and Electrochemical Performance.

The aim of this study is the fabrication of unprecedented neuroelectrodes, replete with exceptional biological and electrical attributes. Commencing with the synthesis of polyethylene glycol and polyethyleneimine-modified iron oxide nanoparticles, the grafting of Dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine was embarked upon to generate DMPC-SPION nanoparticles. Subsequently, the deposition of DMPC-SPIONs onto a nickel-chromium alloy electrode facilitated the inception of an innovative neuroelectrode-DMPC-SPION. A meticulous characterization of DMPC-SPIONs ensued, encompassing zeta potential, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Evaluations pertaining to hemolysis and cytotoxicity were conducted to ascertain the biocompatibility and biosafety of DMPC-SPIONs. Ultimately, a comprehensive assessment of the biocompatibility, electrochemical properties, and electrophysiological signal acquisition capabilities of DMPC-SPION neuroelectrodes was undertaken. These findings conclusively affirm the exemplary biocompatibility, electrochemical capabilities, and outstanding capability in recording electrical signals of DMPC-SPION neuroelectrodes, with an astounding 91.4% augmentation in electrode charge and a noteworthy 13% decline in impedance, with peak potentials reaching as high as 171 μV and an impressive signal-to-noise ratio of 15.92. Intriguingly, the novel DMPC-SPION neuroelectrodes herald an innovative pathway towards injury repair as well as the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders.

High-efficient electrooxidation of ethylene glycol and ethanol on PdSn alloy loaded by versatile poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)

Developing a novel catalyst with lower noble-metal loading and higher catalytic efficiency is significant for promoting the widespread application of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). In this work, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) supported the PdSn alloy (PdSn/PEDOT) were simply synthesized and their electrocatalytic performance toward the oxidation of ethylene glycol and ethanol (EGOR and EOR) were investigated in alkaline media, respectively. In comparison with other control catalysts, the optimized Pd4Sn6/PEDOT catalyst exhibits the highest mass activity (7125/4166 mA mgPd−1) and specific activity (26/15 mA cm−2) towards EGOR/EOR. The mass activity of Pd4Sn6/PEDOT for EGOR and EOR are 11.9 and 10.9 times higher than commercial Pd/C, respectively. Moreover, chronoamperometry (CA) and successive cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests show that the CO resistance ability and durability of the Pd4Sn6/PEDOT catalyst were superior to Pd4Sn6, Pd/PEDOT and commercial Pd/C catalysts, which can be attributed to the d-band center of Pd can be effectively downshifted and the interface strain effect between electrons caused by the conjugated structure between PEDOT groups. This work provides an effective strategy for the development of highly efficient anode catalysts of DAFCs.

Selective oxidation of methyl glycolate to methyl glyoxylate with molecular oxygen catalyzed by VOx/γ-Al2O3

The selective oxidation of methyl glycolate (MG) to methyl glyoxylate (MGO) using molecular oxygen in a fixed-bed reactor represents a greener and more efficient alternative to the traditional batch processing for producing this important fine chemical and intermediate. Despite its potential, detailed understanding of this catalytic reaction is still limited. In our study, VOx/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were identified as effective for the reaction, but their performance strongly depended on the structure of VOx species. The optimal catalyst with nearly monolayer dispersed VOx achieved a high MG conversion of 91% and an MGO selectivity of 71%, alongside maintaining stability for 300 h without noticeable deactivation. At a low V loading of 0.6%, isolated VOx species were formed, exhibiting the highest turnover frequency (TOF) but the lowest MGO selectivity. Increasing the V loading to 3.9% resulted in a blend of less polymeric and isolated VOx species, which decreased the TOF but enhanced MGO selectivity to 59%. With the V loading ranging from 5% to 6.2%, monolayer dispersed VOx became dominant, yielding a lower TOF and the highest MGO selectivity. A further increase in V loading caused the emergence of crystalline V2O5, which seemed to act as a bystander. Moreover, the redox cycles of V4+ and V5+ over the VOx/γ-Al2O3 catalyst played an important role in the selective oxidation of MG to MGO, while the overoxidation of MG to CO2 might take place through the V3+/V4+ redox pairs, the extent of which was determined by the structure of VOx species. These insights are crucial for developing high-performance VOx-based catalysts for the production of MGO through the selective oxidation of MG.

A customized Sn3O4 interface to stabilize *CO2 intermediate for efficient electrocatalytic CO2 reduction

Interfacial regulation strategy is considered as an effective approach to enhance the electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we demonstrate an appropriate carbon nanotubes-modified Sn3O4 electrocatalysts with maximum carbonaceous Faradaic efficiency of 91 % at −0.79 V vs. RHE, and over 86 % at −0.69 to −1.09 V vs. RHE. The carbonaceous Faradaic efficiency of 20 %CNT/Sn3O4 catalyst remains above 90 % at −0.79 V over 10 h. The chemical interfacial interaction of carbon nanotubes-modified Sn3O4 catalysts facilitates the adsorption and activation of CO2. The in situ Raman results confirm the formation of key formate intermediates and the stabilization of catalyst structure. More importantly, CO2 reduction coupling ethylene glycol (EG) oxidation reduces energy consumption and coproduces value-added formate in a two-electrode system. This work provides a reference for constructing interface-modulated metal oxide electrocatalysts and coproducing formate for co-electrolysis systems.

Flocculent-structured high-entropy-alloy anode electrocatalyst for direct ethylene glycol fuel cells

The Pt-based alloys catalysts with special morphology attract great attention. Herein, a flocculent-structured high-entropy-alloy (HEA) (named as F-PtBiCuCoMo/C) electrocatalyst is prepared by co-reduction, which can greatly improve the overall catalytic performance and reduce Pt-usage. In ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR), it has mass activity of 1.08 A mg−1Pt, which also has a good durability with high residual current density (0.27 A mg−1Pt after 3000 s). Notably, the power density reached 17.9 mW cm−2 in as-assembled direct ethylene glycol fuel cells (DEGFC), which exceeded commercial Pt/C references by 2.4 times. Thence, this F-PtBiCuCoMo/C electrocatalyst would be a good option for the advancement of DEGFC technology.

Electrochemical Oxidation of Ethylene Glycol in Aqueous Media Using Lead Dioxide Titanium Anode

Experiments on the electrochemical oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) have been carried out in laboratory conditions using lead dioxide titanium anode (LDOTA) in electrochemical cell. It has been found that the chemical oxygen consumption in the solution on LDOTA at a current density of 5.5 A/dm2 and processing time of 120 min is reduced to the values that allow its further bio-purification. It has been concluded that the efficiency of the electrochemical oxidation process, leading to further destruction of the EG molecule, is explained by both direct oxidation, in which the hydroxyl radicals arise that oxidize EG on the anode surface, and indirect oxidation, accompanied by the formation of strong oxidizing agents, for example, peroxodisulfuric acid anions capable of oxidizing the organic matter in the solution volume.

Facile synthesis of highly active PdAu alloy nanochains for alcohol oxidation electrocatalysis

An efficacious strategy to enhance the activity and stability of electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation reactions is the formation of alloys of palladium with oxygenophilic metals. In this study, Palladium nano chains with an average diameter of approximately 4.4 nm were synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal approach, employing creatine as the structural guide. The one-dimensional structure yielded a huge electrochemically active area (84.5 m2 g−1) and good electrical conductivity. the mass activity of Pd87Au13 NCs for alkaline ethanol oxidation reaction was 4050 mA mgPd+Au−1, which is 7.32 times higher thancommercial Pd/C, and also maintains a high residual current density after 20000 s stability test. In addition, the excellent performance of the material was demonstrated during the oxidation of ethylene glycol and glycerol. The improved catalytic performance is owed to the interconnected chain shape providing fast electron transport channels, and the Au doping not only optimizes the electronic structure of Pd but also has a bifunctional effect, which effectively removes the carbon-containing intermediates generated by Pd during alcohol oxidation, thus improving its resistance to poisoning and stability.

Lamellar polyaniline-modified reduced graphene oxide loaded electron-rich Pd nanoparticles for highly efficient electrooxidation of C2 alcohols

Design and preparation of catalysts with lower cost and higher catalytic efficiency are still important strategy to promote the wide application of alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells (ADAFCs). In this study, a novel anode catalyst for ADAFCs has been easily synthesized based on polyaniline (PANI)-modified wrinkled reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Pd nanoparticles (Pd NPs). Morphology and structure characterization confirm the modified lamellar structure and composition of the Pd/PANI-rGO composite, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrates the electron transfer from PANI-rGO to Pd NPs. For ethylene glycol and ethanol oxidation reactions (EGOR/EOR) in alkaline media, the Pd/PANI-rGO exhibits promising electrocatalytic properties with mass activity as 4342.5 and 2220.4 mA mgPd-1, specific activity as 26.6 and 13.6 mA cm-2 and intrinsic activity as 5.7 and 2.5 s-1, respectively. Moreover, the Pd/PANI-rGO shows significantly enhanced anti-poisoning ability and durability as compared with contrast samples due to the well dispersion of Pd NPs on PANI-rGO and the synergistic interaction between PANI-rGO and Pd NPs producing electron-rich Pd and more active sites for EGOR and EOR. This work is expected to provide theoretical foundation for designing low-cost and high-efficiency ADAFCs anode catalysts.

Binary nonmetal boron and phosphorus co-doping into PdRh nanosheets boosts electro‑upgrading polyethylene terephthalate

The upcycling of plastic waste through electrochemistry has garnered significant interest. In this study, we present a two-step strategy for synthesizing boron (B) and phosphorus (P) co-doped quaternary PdRhBP nanosheets (PdRhBP NSs) aimed at converting polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic hydrolysate (ethylene glycol) into high-value-added chemicals. The electrocatalytic performance of PdRhBP NSs for ethylene glycol (EG) oxidation surpasses that of PdRh nanosheets (PdRh NSs) and commercial Pd black. Notably, the highest contents of glycolic acid (GA) and formate are observed at a voltage of 0.755 V. This can be attributed to the two-dimensional structural advantages of PdRhBP NSs and the synergistic effect of B and P, optimizing the electronic configuration of Pd. This study not only proposes a double-doping strategy for designing efficient electrochemical conversion catalysts but also presents a green and sustainable approach for upgrading and utilizing plastic waste.

One-pot Synthesis of PdCuAg and CeO2 Nanowires Hybrid with Abundant Heterojunction Interface for Ethylene Glycol Electrooxidation.

Introducing CeO2 into Pd-based nanocatalysts for electrocatalytic reactions is a good way to solve the intermediate toxicity problem and improve the catalytic performance. Here we reported a simple strategy to synthesize the PdCuAg and CeO2 nanowires hybrid via a one-pot synthesis process under strong nanoconfined effect of specific surfactant as templates. Owing to the structural (ultrathin nanowires, abundant heterojunction/interfaces between metal and metal oxide) and compositional (Pd, Cu, Ag, CeO2) advantages, the hybrid showed significantly enhanced catalytic activity (6.06 A mgPd -1) and stability, accelerated reaction rate, and reduced activation energy toward electrocatalytic ethylene glycol oxidation reaction.

Unveiling synergy of strain and ligand effects in metallic aerogel for electrocatalytic polyethylene terephthalate upcycling

Recently, there has been a notable surge in interest regarding reclaiming valuable chemicals from waste plastics. However, the energy-intensive conventional thermal catalysis does not align with the concept of sustainable development. Herein, we report a sustainable electrocatalytic approach allowing the selective synthesis of glycolic acid (GA) from waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) over a Pd67Ag33 alloy catalyst under ambient conditions. Notably, Pd67Ag33 delivers a high mass activity of 9.7 A mgPd-1 for ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) and GA Faradaic efficiency of 92.7 %, representing the most active catalyst for selective GA synthesis. In situ experiments and computational simulations uncover that ligand effect induced by Ag incorporation enhances the GA selectivity by facilitating carbonyl intermediates desorption, while the lattice mismatch-triggered tensile strain optimizes the adsorption of *OH species to boost reaction kinetics. This work unveils the synergistic of strain and ligand effect in alloy catalyst and provides guidance for the design of future catalysts for PET upcycling. We further investigate the versatility of Pd67Ag33 catalyst on CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) and assemble EGOR//CO2RR integrated electrolyzer, presenting a pioneering demonstration for reforming waste carbon resource (i.e., PET and CO2) into high-value chemicals.