Oxygen Reduction to Hydrogen Peroxide Electrocatalyzed By Hydrophilic Carbon Fiber Paper

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most important chemicals in the world because of its many applications in energy storage, chemical synthesis, and water treatment. Currently, hydrogen peroxide is synthesized using the very energy-intensive anthraquinone process that generates large amounts of chemical waste and requires a complex and large-scale infrastructure. Therefore, multiple studies have been conducted to develop a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly synthesis method. A process that satisfies those requirements is electrocatalytic oxygen reduction in aqueous electrolytes. Electrocatalytic processes are powered by electricity, can utilize renewable sources, and do not need large, complex infrastructures, thereby allowing decentralized use. In this research, we investigated the production rate of hydrogen peroxide as a function of electrolyte pH, using oxygen reduction electrocatalyzed by hydrophilic carbon fiber paper in aqueous media. We employed a green chemistry process that was recently developed by the Müller group to imbue carbon fiber paper with long-lasting hydrophilicity,¹ which served as cathodic catalysts for hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis. We systematically varied applied potential and the composition and pH of the aqueous electrolytes to gain mechanistic insights and optimize the production rate of hydrogen peroxide. Overall, we have developed a clean, cost-effective, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly approach to produce hydrogen peroxide.

1) M.K. Wilsey, K.R. Watson, O.C. Fasusi, B.P. Yegela, C.P. Cox, P.R. Raffaelle, L. Cai, A.M. Müller, Selective Hydroxylation of Carbon Fiber Paper for Long-Lasting Hydrophilicity by a Green Chemistry Process. Adv. Mater. Interfaces 2023, 10, 2201684.