Modulating Adsorption Behavior by Single‐site Pt on RuO <sub>2</sub> for Efficient Electrosynthesis of Glycolic Acid from Plastic Wastes
Fulai Liu, Jingtao Zhou, Xutao Gao, Run Shi, Zhengxiao Guo, Edmund C. M. Tse, Yong Chen
Abstract
Abstract Electrochemical upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) wastes into valuable glycolic acid (GA) is an ideal solution for resource utilization. However, simultaneously achieving high activity and selectivity remains challenging due to the over‐oxidation and C−C cleavage during ethylene glycol (EG) oxidation in PET hydrolysate. Herein, we develop an atomically isolated Pt on RuO 2 (Pt 1 /RuO 2 ) catalyst composed of high‐density Pt−Ru interfaces that ensure single‐site adsorption of EG, enrich surface *OH coverage and weaken *CO−CH 2 OH intermediate adsorption, thereby synergistically promoting GA generation. Specifically, Pt 1 /RuO 2 delivers a remarkable mass activity of 8.09 A/mg Pt , as well as a high GA Faradaic efficiency (95.3 %) and selectivity (96.9 %). Under membrane electrode assembly conditions, Pt 1 /RuO 2 realizes a stable electrolysis over 500 h at 6 A with a GA yield rate of 4.06 g h −1 . In‐depth theoretical and in situ spectroscopic investigations reveal the synergy between isolated Pt and oxophilic RuO 2 plays a crucial role in high‐efficiency EG‐to‐GA conversion. This study offers valuable insights for the rational design of advanced catalysts for GA synthesis from PET wastes via a single‐site doped bimetallic strategy.