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Catalytic oxidation upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate to commodity carboxylic acids

Author

Listed:
  • Qinghai Chen

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • Hao Yan

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • Kai Zhao

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • Shuai Wang

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • Dongrui Zhang

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • Yaqian Li

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • Rong Fan

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • Jie Li

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • Xiaobo Chen

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • Xin Zhou

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Yibin Liu

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • Xiang Feng

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

  • De Chen

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Chaohe Yang

    (China University of Petroleum (East China))

Abstract

Catalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into high-value oxygenated products is a fascinating process, yet it remains challenging. Here, we present a one-step tandem strategy to realize the thermal catalytic oxidation upcycling of PET to terephthalic acid (TPA) and high-value glycolic acid (GA) instead of ethylene glycol (EG). By using the Au/NiO with rich oxygen vacancies as catalyst, we successfully accelerate the hydrolysis of PET, accompanied by obtaining 99% TPA yield and 87.6% GA yield. The results reveal that the oxygen vacancies in NiO (NiO-Ov) support tend to adsorb hydrolysis product TPA, preferentially ensuring the strong adsorption of EG at the Au-NiO interface. Moreover, during the EG oxidation process, the Au-NiO interface, composed of two types of structures, quasi “AuNi alloy” and NiO-Ov, simultaneously promote the C-H bond activation, where Ni in “AuNi alloy” exhibits an oxytropism effect to anchor the C = O bond of the intermediate, while the residual O in NiO-Ov pillages the H in the C-H bond. Such Au/NiO catalyst is further extended to promote the thermal catalytic oxidation upcycling of other polyethylene glycol esters to GA with excellent catalytic performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Qinghai Chen & Hao Yan & Kai Zhao & Shuai Wang & Dongrui Zhang & Yaqian Li & Rong Fan & Jie Li & Xiaobo Chen & Xin Zhou & Yibin Liu & Xiang Feng & De Chen & Chaohe Yang, 2024. "Catalytic oxidation upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate to commodity carboxylic acids," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-54822-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54822-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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