VN/Copper foam self-supporting catalyst for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen peroxide generation

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a crucial chemical, while its conventional production methods are energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. Electrocatalytic synthesis of H₂O₂ through 2e^- oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) presents a sustainable alternative. Here, we introduce a novel VN/Copper foam (VN/CF) self-supporting catalyst, achieving an H₂O₂ production yield rate of 169.7 mg·h⁻¹·cm⁻² with a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 89.1 %. The self-supporting VN/CF demonstrates remarkable durability, sustaining stable operation at a current density of 300 mA cm⁻² over 110 h. Notably, the capital cost of 70 wt% H₂O₂ is remarkably low at just $0.25/kg. This work highlights the potential of self-supported metal nitrides as stable and efficient 2e^- ORR catalysts.