Bimetallic 2D Metal Organic Frameworks for High Selective Ethylene Glycol Electrooxidation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Plastic pollution from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) requires innovative remediation strategies.
• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show promise as electrocatalysts but require optimized activity.
• Understanding intrinsic activity origins is crucial for enhancing electrocatalytic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize ultrathin, PET-derived bimetallic 2D MOFs (2D-CoNi-PET) for ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR).
• To elucidate the factors governing EGOR activity and selectivity in these novel materials.
• To compare the performance and reaction pathways of 2D vs. 3D MOFs for EGOR.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of ultrathin, PET-derived bimetallic 2D MOFs (2D-CoNi-PET).
• Electrocatalytic testing for ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR).
• Mechanistic investigations using electrochemical techniques and comparative studies.

Main Results:

• Ni incorporation in 2D-CoNi-PET generates high-valence Co species, enhancing deprotonation and lowering EGOR onset potential.
• Optimized electron density at Co centers improves adsorption kinetics and reaction rates.
• 2D-CoNi-PET achieved 1.41 V (vs RHE), high Faradaic efficiency, and 91% formic acid selectivity at 100 mA cm⁻², outperforming 3D-CoNi-BDC (42%).

Conclusions:

• PET-derived 2D MOFs offer a sustainable route for plastic remediation and chemical production.
• Geometric design and a successive adsorption-reaction chain are key to high EGOR performance.
• The study provides insights into structure-activity relationships for MOF electrocatalysts.