Journals

Laser Photochemistry Laboratory

291. Boron-bridged AuPt/MBene interfaces enable selective PET electroreforming to formate and hydrogen
Author
Dong Hyeon Lee† , Jayaraman Theerthagiri† , Nuttapon Yodsin† , Piyapa Junmon, M. L. Aruna Kumari, Wanwisa Limphirat, Jae Kyu Song*, Myong Yong Choi*
Journal

Chemical Engineering Journal
Vol, Part
538
Page Number
176739 (2026)
Publication Year

15 June 2026
IF
IF(2025): 12.5
JCR
JCR: 96.0%
Acknowledgements
2019R1A6C1010042, RS-2025-12872968, RS-2025-02634080, RS-2024-00336065, RS-2024-00405324

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Abstract

Paired electroreforming of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste with hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a sustainable strategy for coproducing formate and hydrogen. However, its practical implementation remains poorly explored. Herein, as far as we know, we introduce, for the first time, a surface-engineered two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum boride (MoAl 1−x B MBene), featuring boron-bridged diffusion channels, derived from MoAlB MAB phases via selective acid etching and delamination, as an electronic support for AuPt alloys. Experimental and theoretical results validate that AuPt/MoAl 1−x B, synthesized through a pulsed laser irradiation in liquids process, forms dual catalytic sites with an upshifted d-band center relative to pristine AuPt that modulate the adsorption of *HOCH 2 CH 2 OH and *H intermediates. This tailored interface promotes synergistic catalysis for ethylene glycol (EG, a PET monomer) oxidation reaction and HER. AuPt/MoAl 1−x B selectively catalyzes EG-to-formate conversion with a Faradaic efficiency of 68.23% at 1.60 V vs. RHE via a glycolaldehyde-mediated C1 pathway, with glycolate as a minor product. Concurrently, it delivers the HER performance with an ultralow overpotential of 64 mV at 10 mA cm −2 . Pairing PET hydrolysate oxidation with HER, the Au1Pt1/MoAl 1−x B||Au1Pt1/MoAl 1−x B electrolyzer achieves 10 mA cm −2 at 1.80 V, 70 mV smaller than that of standard water splitting. Electrolysis of PET hydrolysate for over 100 h at 1.8 V enables high-purity recovery of terephthalic acid and potassium diformate. This study establishes a versatile new class of 2D MBene–based electrocatalytic platform for efficient plastic waste valorization, advancing sustainable strategies for the co-generation of valuable chemicals and fuels.