Sub-2 nm ultrafine high-entropy alloy nanowires with multi-atom catalytic sites for efficient electrocatalytic upcycling of waste plastics

Slow natural degradation of polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics leads to carbon resource waste and CO 2 emissions, underscoring the urgent need for advanced upcycling methods beyond conventional recycling. This study addresses this challenge by developing high-entropy alloys (HEAs) PdPtAuCuAg nanowires with multi-atom catalytic sites prepared by a straightforward one-pot approach. These unique nanowires integrate the multi-metallic synergy, structural stability, and lattice distortion inherent to HEAs with the high electrochemical surface area and abundant active sites provided by the nanowire morphology. As high-performance electrocatalysts, PdPtAuCuAg nanowires efficiently convert PLA-derived lactic acid into valuable acetic acid via the lactic acid oxidation reaction (LOR) in alkaline media, achieving acetic acid selectivity of 94.74% and faradaic efficiency of 94.75% at 1.60 V vs. RHE. The excellent activity originates from multi-atom catalytic sites within the HEAs, optimizing electron regulation and specifically facilitating the reaction pathway towards acetic acid. This work presents an efficient and sustainable electrocatalytic strategy for transforming waste PLA plastic into a valuable chemical commodity, offering a promising solution for plastic waste management and enhanced resource circularity.