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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Spinel-engineered cobalt oxide nanoflowers for dual-function electrocatalysis: Synergistic PET plastic upcycling and
Jing Su1, Tan Li1, Linjia Yin1
1State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Abstract:
The valorization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into value-added chemicals coupled with hydrogen production presents a promising sustainable solution, yet is hindered by inefficient electrocatalysts. Herein, we engineer a bifunctional cobalt oxide nanoflower catalyst anchored on Ni foam (Co₃O₄-F@NF) with tailored spinel structure and morphology. The hierarchical nanoflowers provide abundant active sites and enhanced mass transport, while the mixed Co²⁺/Co³ ⁺ valence states enable dual-functionality: Co³ ⁺ drives selective ethylene glycol (EG) oxidation in PET hydrolysate to formate (96.97% FE) via a glycolaldehyde-glyoxal pathway, and Co²⁺ optimizes hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, Tafel slope = 140 mV/dec). DFT calculations confirm Co³ ⁺ enhances *OCH₂CH₂OH adsorption (ΔE = -2.07 eV) for anodic oxidation, while Co²⁺ achieves near-thermoneutral ΔGH* (0.59 eV) for HER. In a coupled electrolyzer, Co₃O₄-F@NF simultaneously produces formate (90.50% FE) and H₂ at 1.4 V, outperforming Pt. Crucially, recovered terephthalic acid (PTA) shows high purity, enabling a net profit of $583.4/ton PET. This work establishes a sustainable paradigm for plastic waste upcycling and energy storage.
