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Boosting Hydrogen Peroxide Electrosynthesis via Modulating the Interfacial Hydrogen-Bond Environment.
Yushuang Fang1,2, Yu Fan1, Kunchi Xie1
1Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|May 9, 2023
Summary
Adding dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to electrolytes boosts hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) electrosynthesis. This method enhances selectivity and activity by controlling water dissociation at the electrode-electrolyte interface.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Designing efficient electrode-electrolyte interfaces for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) electrosynthesis is crucial but challenging.
- The competitive 4-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to water (H₂O) hinders H₂O₂ selectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the selectivity and activity of H₂O₂ electrosynthesis.
- To investigate the role of interfacial hydrogen bonding in electrochemical reactions.
Main Methods:
- Electrochemical synthesis of H₂O₂.
- Addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to KOH electrolyte.
- Spectral characterization and molecular simulation.
Main Results:
- DMSO addition improved both selectivity and activity of H₂O₂ electrosynthesis.
- DMSO formed hydrogen bonds with water, reducing water dissociation to active H* species.
- Achieved over 90% selectivity for H₂O₂ via the 2-electron ORR pathway.
Conclusions:
- Regulating the interfacial hydrogen-bond environment with organic molecules like DMSO is an effective strategy.
- This approach enhances electrochemical performance in aqueous electrosynthesis.
- Highlights a new method for boosting H₂O₂ production efficiency and selectivity.
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