Wrapping Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes with Anatase Titanium Oxide for the Electrosynthesis of Glycolic Acid

The construction of an efficient electrocatalyst is of significant importance for electrochemical devices. In this study, a facile preparation method is developed to wrap pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by an anatase TiO2 layer with the assistance of pyridine-based polybenzimidazole (PyPBI) The factors dominating the morphology of the obtained MWNT/PyPBY/TiO2 products, involving the employment of PyPBI and the post-treatment method, are investigated in detail. Furthermore, a self-standing electrode film is prepared via a filtration route. The electrode film is composed of a MWNT/PyPBI/TiO2 catalyst layer and a MWNT current collecting layer. The resultant electrocatalysts and electrode film with the MWNT/PyPBI/TiO2 catalyst are evaluated for the electroreduction of oxalic acid (OX) to glycolic acid (GC). By using the optimized electrode film with the MWNT/PyPBI/TiO2 catalyst, the conversion rate of OX and the selectivity of GC reach 51.2% and 38.7%, respectively.