One-pot synthesis of 2D-Ni-MOF from waste PET plastic in aqueous medium for selective electrooxidation of glycerol, ethanol, and methanol

This study investigates the electrochemical performance and selectivity of a nickel-based metal-organic framework (Ni-MOF) catalyst synthesized from waste PET plastic using a one-pot approach in aqueous media. The NiMOF electrode was evaluated for glycerol electrooxidation reaction (GEOR), ethanol electrooxidation reaction (EEOR), and methanol electrooxidation reaction (MEOR). Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) revealed current densities of 30 mA/cm2 at 0.5639 V for GEOR, 50.07 mA/cm2 at 0.35 V for EEOR, and 45.73 mA/cm2 at 0.39 V for MEOR, indicating superior catalytic activity. Nyquist plots showed lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) values of 11.0 S2 for GEOR, 2.79 S2 for EEOR, and 2.69 S2 for MEOR, confirming efficient electron transfer. Bode impedance plots demonstrated lower impedance for alcohol electrooxidation compared to oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Chronoamperometry (CA) tests indicated excellent stability with 76% glycerol conversion for GEOR and selectivities of 94% for glyceric acid, 66% for acetic acid in EEOR, and 71% for formic acid in MEOR. These results highlight the potential of Ni-MOF derived from recycled PET plastic for sustainable and efficient electrooxidation of C1-C3 alcohols.