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Updated: Jun 12, 2025
A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
Hydroxylated Boron Crystal Domain-Modulated Heterostructure Carbon Catalysts for Efficient Hydrogen Peroxide
Yuhan Wu1, Qixin Yuan1, Yuying Zhao2,3
1Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Abstract:
Metal-free heterostructure carbon catalysts are promising alternatives to metal-based catalysts for electrochemical hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) synthesis via the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e- ORR). However, one appropriate nanocrystal type is being sought to resolve a concern at industrial-level current densities. Herein, nano boron crystal domains (Bn) overcame the stability limitations of traditional carbon-based electrocatalysts for sustainable H2O2 production and industrial application. A Bn-C catalyst offered multiple active sites, while the nano Bn imparted an O2 enrichment effect enhancing mass transfer during ORR electrocatalysis. The Bn-C exhibited a very high mass activity (11.6/10.7 mol gcat-1 h-1) in alkaline/neutral electrolytes and showed negligible loss in activity and Faradaic efficiency (over 90%) during 100 h continuous electrolysis at high current density (>300 mA cm-2). Density functional theory and in situ Raman experiments demonstrated that the -OH groups connecting nano Bn provided an inductive effect on B atoms in the carbon matrix, alleviating a binding strength that is too strong with *OOH intermediate.
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