Vacancy-defective spinel NiCo2O4 enables high-valent Ni/Co species and adsorbate binding for the electrocatalytic upcycling of polybutylene succinate plastics

Key Points

• To investigate the use of vacancy-defective spinel NiCo2O4 for improving the electrocatalytic performance in upcycling polybutylene succinate plastics.
• Electroreforming PBS plastics waste and NOx into chemicals using NiCo2O4 as a catalyst
• Assessment of activity and selectivity of the catalyst in the upcycling process
• Comparison between traditional and vacancy-defective catalysts
• The vacancy-defective NiCo2O4 exhibited significantly higher electrocatalytic activity compared to non-defective counterparts
• Demonstrated improved binding of high-valent Ni/Co species with adsorbates
• Achieved controllable selectivity towards valuable chemicals during the electroreforming process