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.