Electrochemical Oxidation of Alcohols Using Ni-Based Catalysts Incorporating Pt-Au Nanoparticles

Abstract

The continuous accumulation of plastic waste over recent decades has caused a severe environmental crisis. Among various mitigation strategies, the conversion of waste plastics into value-added products has emerged as a critical challenge. In particular, t he electrochemical refining of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) waste—focusing on the upcycling of PBT-derived 1,4-butanediol (BDO) monomers into high-value succinic acid while simultaneously coupling hydrogen production—has attracted significant attention as a promising approach to alleviate plastic pollution. In this study, a electrocatalyst featuring a NiOOH layer and Pt–Au nanoparticles supported on nickel foam was fabricated via corrosion engineering and spontaneous redox reactions. The catalytic perfo rmance for BDO oxidation was strongly dependent on the concentrations of Pt and Au precursor ions introduced during synthesis, as evidenced by distinct differences in succinic acid production rates. This electrocatalytic upcycling strategy can be further integrated with cathodic reduction reactions, offering new insights into the energy-efficient production of value-added chemicals while addressing plastic waste challenges.