Metal Atom-Support Interaction in Single Atom Catalysts toward Hydrogen Peroxide Electrosynthesis

Single metal atom catalysts (SACs) have garnered considerable attention as promising agents for catalyzing important industrial reactions, particularly the electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Within this field, the metal atom-support interaction (MASI) assumes a decisive role, profoundly influencing the catalytic activity and selectivity exhibited by SACs, and triggers a decade-long surge dedicated to unraveling the modulation of MASI as a means to enhance the catalytic performance of SACs. In this comprehensive review, we present a systematic summary and categorization of recent advancements pertaining to MASI modulation for achieving efficient electrochemical H2O2 synthesis. We start by introducing the fundamental concept of the MASI, followed by a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the correlation between the MASI and catalytic performance. We describe how this knowledge can be harnessed to design SACs with optimized MASI to increase the efficiency of H2O2 electrosynthesis. Finally, we distill the challenges that lay ahead in this field and provide a forward-looking perspective on the future research directions that can be pursued.

Isomerization Engineering of Oxygen-Enriched Carbon Quantum Dots for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Production

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has emerged as a kind of multi-functional green oxidants with extensive industrial utility. Oxidized carbon materials exhibit promises as electrocatalysts in the two-electron (2e-) oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for H2O2 production. However, the precise identification and fabrication of active sites that selectively yield H2O2 present a serious challenge. Herein, a structural engineering strategy is employed to synthesize oxygen-doped carbon quantum dots (o-CQD) for the 2e- ORR. The surface electronic structure of the o-CQDs is systematically modulated by varying isomerization precursors, thereby demonstrating excellent electrocatalyst performance. Notably, o-CQD-3 emerges as the most promising candidate, showcasing a remarkable H2O2 selectivity of 96.2% (n = 2.07) at 0.68 V versus RHE, coupled with a low Tafel diagram of 66.95 mV dec-1. In the flow cell configuration, o-CQD-3 achieves a H2O2 productivity of 338.7 mmol gcatalyst -1 h-1, maintaining consistent production stability over an impressive 120-hour duration. Utilizing in situ technology and density functional theory calculations, it is unveil that edge sites of o-CQD-3 are facilely functionalized by C-O-C groups under alkaline ORR conditions. This isomerization engineering approach advances the forefront of sustainable catalysis and provides a profound insight into the carbon-based catalyst design for environmental-friendly chemical synthesis processes.

Solvent Engineering of Oxygen-Enriched Carbon Dots for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Production

The development of cost-effective and reliable metal-free carbon-based electrocatalysts has gained significant attention for electrochemical hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) generation through a two-electron oxygen reduction reaction. In this study, a scalable solvent engineering strategy is employed to fabricate oxygen-doped carbon dots (O-CDs) that exhibit excellent performance as electrocatalysts. By adjusting the ratio of ethanol and acetone solvents during the synthesis, the surface electronic structure of the resulting O-CDs can be systematically tuned. The amount of edge active CO group was strongly correlated with the selectivity and activity of the O-CDs. The optimum O-CDs-3 exhibited extraordinary H2 O2 selectivity of up to 96.55% (n = 2.06) at 0.65 V (vs RHE) and achieved a remarkably low Tafel plot of 64.8 mV dec-1 . Furthermore, the realistic H2 O2 productivity yield of flow cell is measured to be as high as 111.18 mg h-1  cm-2 for a duration of 10 h. The findings highlight the potential of universal solvent engineering approach for enabling the development of carbon-based electrocatalytic materials with improved performance. Further studies will be undertaken to explore the practical implications of the findings for advancing the field of carbon-based electrocatalysis.

Photocatalytic and Electrocatalytic Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide: Principles, Catalyst Design and Performance

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a high-demand organic chemical reagent and has been widely used in various modern industrial applications. Currently, the prominent method for the preparation of H2O2 is the anthraquinone oxidation. Unfortunately, it is not conducive to economic and sustainable development since it is a complex process and involves unfriendly environment and potential hazards. In this context, numerous approaches have been developed to synthesize H2O2. Among them, photo/electro-catalytic ones are considered as two of the most promising manners for on-site synthesis of H2O2. These alternatives are sustainable in that only water or O2 is required. Namely, water oxidation (WOR) or oxygen reduction (ORR) reactions can be further coupled with clean and sustainable energy. For photo/electro-catalytic reactions for H2O2 generation, the design of the catalysts is extremely important and has been extensively conducted with an aim to obtain ultimate catalytic performance. This article overviews the basic principles of WOR and ORR, followed by the summary of recent progresses and achievements on the design and performance of various photo/electro-catalysts for H2O2 generation. The related mechanisms for these approaches are highlighted from theoretical and experimental aspects. Scientific challenges and opportunities of engineering photo/electro-catalysts for H2O2 generation are also outlined and discussed.

Recent advances in carbonaceous catalyst design for the in situ production of H2O2 via two-electron oxygen reduction

The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction has received increasing attention as a relatively green, safe and sustainable method for in situ hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production. Recently, significant achievements have been made to explore carbon-based (noble metal-free) low-cost and efficient electrocatalysts for H₂O₂ electroproduction, which could potentially replace the traditional anthraquinone process. However, to realize industrial-scale implementation, a highly active and selective catalytic material is needed. In this review paper, we first expound on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) mechanism, which is the origin of in situ H₂O₂ production. Then, the recent progress in the development of modified carbon-based catalysts is reviewed and classified, corresponding to their physical or chemical modulation. Furthermore, an overview is provided of the available examples from pilot/large-scale applications. Finally, an outlook on the current challenges and future research prospects to transfer the lab-developed catalysts into pilot or industrial-scale reactors is briefly discussed.

Docking MOF crystals on graphene support for highly selective electrocatalytic peroxide production

Tailoring the reaction kinetics is the central theme of designer electrocatalysts, which enables the selective conversion of abundant and inert atmospheric species into useful products. Here we show a supporting effect in tuning the electrocatalytic kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) from four-electron to two-electron mechanism by docking metalloporphyrin-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) crystals on graphene support, leading to highly selective peroxide production with faradaic efficiency as high as 93.4%. A magic angle of 38.1° tilting for the co-facial alignment was uncovered by electron diffraction tomography, which is attributed to the maximization of π-π interaction for mitigating the lattice and symmetry mismatch between MOF and graphene. The facilitated electron migration and oxygen chemisorption could be ascribed to the supportive effect of graphene that disperses of the electron state of the active center, and ultimately regulates rate-determining step.

ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Supplementary material (synthesis protocols for control samples, morphological and structural characterizations, porosity, electrochemical properties and activities including SEM, TEM, XPS, Raman, AFM investigations) is available in the online version of this article at 10.1007/s12274-021-3382-3.