Highly efficient electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide on a superhydrophobic three-phase interface by natural air diffusion

Abstract Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) synthesis by electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction has attracted great attention as a green substitute for anthraquinone process. However, low oxygen utilization efficiency (<1%) and high energy consumption remain obstacles. Herein we propose a superhydrophobic natural air diffusion electrode (NADE) to greatly improve the oxygen diffusion coefficient at the cathode about 5.7 times as compared to the normal gas diffusion electrode (GDE) system. NADE allows the oxygen to be naturally diffused to the reaction interface, eliminating the need to pump oxygen/air to overcome the resistance of the gas diffusion layer, resulting in fast H 2 O 2 production (101.67 mg h -1 cm…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 21976096, 2016YFC0400706, 19PTZWHZ00050, T2017002, 21773129, 2017ZX07107002, 21811530274
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Awards: 2016YFC0400706, T2017002, 2017ZX07107002, 19PTZWHZ00050
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Awards: 21811530274, T2017002
• TS
  Tianjin Science and Technology Program

  Award: 19PTZWHZ00050