Electrosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide at Industrial-Level Current Density in Flow-Cell System: Interfacial Microenvironment Regulation and Catalyst Design.

Abstract

Electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide via two-electron oxygen reduction (2e^- ORR) provides a green, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to anthraquinone processes. However, scaling up from laboratory evaluations to practical applications remains challenging. Herein, an interfacial microenvironment regulation strategy using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide cationic surfactant is reported to boost the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production rate of commercial carbon black catalysts in alkaline flow-cell reactors. The modified interfacial microenvironment creates an ideal environment for H₂O₂ production, resulting in a 1.40-fold improvement in 2e^- ORR current density (from 227.0 to 320.0 mA cm^-2) and a 1.58-fold improvement in H₂O₂ production rate (from 137.0 to 217.8 mM L^-1 h^-1). Additionally, a boron-doped mesoporous carbon catalyst is developed, demonstrating superior catalytic performance, achieving a 1.80-fold improvement in H₂O₂ production rate (246.7 mM L^-1 h^-1) comparing with commercial carbon black. These results highlight the potential of microenvironment regulation and catalyst design for developing highly efficient and scalable H₂O₂ electrosynthesis system.