High-efficiency H2O2 production on carbon material derived from pine wood via water oxidation‑oxygen reduction synergistic pathway

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is an essential chemical with broad applications. However, traditional methods for their production rely strongly on oxygen supply and metal-based material. In this study, we obtain a carbon material from natural pine wood by using hydrothermal method (PHC). It can produce H₂O₂ in pure water in oxygen-deficiency environment. Under anaerobic conditions, it achieved a cumulative H₂O₂ concentration of 106.3 μM within 2 h. Isotope tracing experiment studies revealed that H₂O₂ formation involves the synergistic effect of a two-electron water oxidation pathway and a four-electron water oxidation-two-electron oxygen reduction cascade pathway. It can use only water for H₂O₂ generation. According to pH dependance experiment, the materials show high activity in a wide pH range, especially in alkaline conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the strong adsorption of OH⁻ on the polyfuran chain under alkaline conditions promotes H₂O₂ generation. This study offers a novel approach for the high-value utilization of plant fibers and the green synthesis of H₂O₂.