Electrochemical production of H2O2 via 2e− ORR and WOR: Catalyst design, interface regulation, and scalable device engineering
Minghui Zhu, Zijian Ge, Zhuying Xu, Xiaofang Liang, Lei Yan, Yulin Sun, Yijun Zhong, Yong Hu
Abstract
Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is a crucial chemical with broad applications in environmental protection, chemical synthesis, and industrial processes. While traditionally produced via the energy-intensive anthraquinone oxidation process, emerging electrocatalytic methods based on two-electron oxygen reduction (2e − ORR) and water oxidation (2e − WOR) reactions offer a sustainable, decentralized, and on-demand alternative for H 2 O 2 generation. This review systematically examines the mechanistic pathways and evaluation strategies of both 2e − ORR and 2e − WOR, focusing on three critical aspects: 1) Catalyst design strategies to enhance active site exposure and selectively drive the 2e − pathway while suppressing the competing 4e − pathway. 2) Regulation of the reaction microenvironment, including electrolyte composition and three-phase interface (TPI) engineering, to optimize oxygen transport and interfacial dynamics. 3) Innovations in scalable electrocatalytic systems, highlighting integrated co-electrolysis platforms capable of simultaneously producing H 2 O 2 and other value-added products. By combining molecular-level catalyst design with system-level device engineering, this review outlines challenges and provides forward-looking insights for guiding the development of green and efficient H 2 O 2 production.