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The C─C Bond-Centric Mechanism in Electrocatalytic Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate Valorization
Qiujin Shi1, Min Yu1, Xiang Liu2
1College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China.
None:
Plastics have revolutionized our lives, especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics; however, their exponential consumption and inadequate management have exacerbated global plastic pollution. To address this, renewable energy-driven electrocatalysis offers a sustainable route to upcycle waste PET into value-added chemicals, simultaneously delivering economic and environmental advantages. This minireview summarizes recent advances in electrocatalytic PET-derived ethylene glycol (EG) conversion, establishing a framework based on the fate of the C─C bond (cleavage, maintenance, or coupling) to precisely access C1 (formic acid, formamide, hydroxymethylsulfonate), C2 (glycolaldehyde, glycolic acid, oxalic acid), and C3+ (α-hydroxycarboxylic acid) products. We place particular emphasis on the bond-centric mechanisms, discussing the decisive factors that govern the reaction pathways and performances. Finally, a forward-looking perspective is provided to guide future innovations in sustainable PET valorization and circular chemical manufacturing.
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