Method for preparing glycollate by electro-catalyzing ethylene glycol or electro-catalytically reforming waste plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

A method for preparing glycollate by electro-catalyzing ethylene glycol, comprising:

• preparing an anode catalyst by immersing a nickel foam into a palladium salt solution while stirring for 5 minutes to 60 minutes, wherein the palladium salt solution has a concentration ranging from 20 mmol/L to 40 mmol/L, and the palladium salt is at least one selected from the group consisting of PdCl2, Pd(NO3)2, Pd(SO4)2, and H2PdCl4;
• assembling the anode catalyst, a cathode catalyst and an alkaline electrolyte containing the ethylene glycol into an electrolytic cell, and applying voltage for electrocatalytic reaction, wherein the ethylene glycol is oxidized at an anode to generate the glycollate, and water is reduced at a cathode to generate hydrogen;
• the anode catalyst is palladium-supported nickel foam;
• the anode catalyst is a nanosheet;
• in the palladium-supported nickel foam, a palladium element is mainly supported on a surface of a nickel foam in a form of Pd0 (zero valence state);
• in the anode catalyst, the palladium element supported on per square centimeter of the nickel foam has a total amount ranging from 1 mg to 10 mg;
• and
• the cathode catalyst is selected from the group consisting of platinum-supported nickel foam, and nickel phosphide-supported nickel foam.