The Nexus of Innovation: Electrochemically Synthesizing H2O2 and Its Integration with Downstream Reactions

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) represents a chemically significant oxidant that is prized for its diverse applicability across various industrial domains. Recent innovations have shed light on the electrosynthesis of H₂O₂ through two-electron oxygen reduction reactions (2e^– ORR) or two-electron water oxidation reactions (2e^– WOR), processes that underscore the attractive possibility for the on-site production of this indispensable oxidizing agent. However, the translation of these methods into practical utilization within chemical manufacturing industries remains an aspiration rather than a realized goal. This Perspective intends to furnish a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in the domain of coupled chemical reactions with H₂O₂, critically examining emergent strategies that may pave the way for the development of new reaction pathways. These pathways could enable applications that hinge on the availability and reactivity of H₂O₂, including, but not limited to the chemical synthesis coupled with H₂O₂ and waste water treatment byFenton-like reactions. Concurrently, the Perspective acknowledges and elucidates some of the salient challenges and opportunities inherent in the coupling of electrochemically generated H₂O₂, thereby providing a scholarly analysis that might guide future research.