Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Ethylene Glycol to Glycolic Acid: From Mechanism and Catalyst Design to Emerging Neutral Electrolyte Systems

Authors

• Man Zhang, Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.Follow
• Xue Li, Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
• Xinyu Peng, Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
• Lin Wang, Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
• Wenwen Chen, Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
• Yaoyue Yang, Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.Follow

Document Type

Review

Corresponding Author(s)

Man Zhang([email protected]);
Yaoyue Yang([email protected])

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste represents both an environmental burden and a loss of carbon resources. Alkaline depolymerization of PET yields terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol (EG). Electrocatalytic oxidation of EG to glycolic acid (GA), the monomer of biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA), offers a sustainable route driven by renewable electricity. However, the ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) involves competing pathways toward C2 products (GA and oxalic acid) and C1 products (formic acid and CO₂), making selective GA production a central challenge. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in selective EG-to-GA electrooxidation from catalyst design, mechanistic understanding, and electrolyte system evolution.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Electrocatalytic oxidation of ethylene glycol; Glycolic acid; Electrocatalytic selectivity; Faradaic Efficiency; Electrolyte; PET upcycling

DOI

10.61558/2993-074X.3624

Online Date

8-7-2026

Recommended Citation

Man Zhang, Xue Li, Xinyu Peng, Lin Wang, Wenwen Chen, Yaoyue Yang. Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Ethylene Glycol to Glycolic Acid: From Mechanism and Catalyst Design to Emerging Neutral Electrolyte Systems[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, doi: 10.61558/2993-074X.3624.