Issue 10, 2021

Approaching a high-rate and sustainable production of hydrogen peroxide: oxygen reduction on Co–N–C single-atom electrocatalysts in simulated seawater

Abstract

Electrochemical production of H2O2 from O2 using simulated seawater provides a promising alternative to the energy-intensive industrial anthraquinone process. In this study, a flow cell system is built for electrocatalytic production of H2O2 under an air atmosphere in simulated seawater using cobalt single-atom catalysts (Co SACs). The Co SACs can achieve a high H2O2 production rate of 3.4 mol gcatalyst−1 h−1 under an air flow at a current density of 50 mA cmgeo−2 and long-term stability over 24 h in 0.5 M NaCl. It is found that Co–N5 rather than the Co–N4 structure in Co SACs is the main active site for H2O2 formation in the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) pathway. It also shows high chloride-endurability without inhibition of the ORR process in simulated seawater. The fast production of H2O2 on Co–N5 sites in a flow cell provides a promising path of electrocatalytic oxygen reduction in simulated seawater, eventually converting ubiquitous air and seawater towards energy sustainability.

Graphical abstract: Approaching a high-rate and sustainable production of hydrogen peroxide: oxygen reduction on Co–N–C single-atom electrocatalysts in simulated seawater

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 Mar 2021
Accepted
13 Aug 2021
First published
13 Aug 2021

Energy Environ. Sci., 2021,14, 5444-5456

Approaching a high-rate and sustainable production of hydrogen peroxide: oxygen reduction on Co–N–C single-atom electrocatalysts in simulated seawater

Q. Zhao, Y. Wang, W. Lai, F. Xiao, Y. Lyu, C. Liao and M. Shao, Energy Environ. Sci., 2021, 14, 5444 DOI: 10.1039/D1EE00878A

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