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 Ni-MOF 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 (R_ct) values of 11.0 Ω for GEOR, 2.79 Ω for EEOR, and 2.69 Ω 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.