Phosphorus-Induced Electron Pump Enhances O₂ Activation for Electrocatalytic H₂O₂ Production

Electrochemical two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e^- ORR) to produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is attractive, but poor H₂O₂ selectivity and activity need to be overcome. Herein, a phosphorus-induced electron pump is demonstrated. The H₂O₂ selectivity reaches >90% (93.5% at 0.5 V) in the potential range of 0.2∼0.7 V. The Faradaic efficiency achieves 94.2% at 0.6 V. In situ Raman experiment and density functional theory calculation indicate that the O₂ adsorption and activation are enhanced. The *OOH intermediates are formed at a more positive potential. Furthermore, the universal mechanism of the electron pump is extended. At last, the potential to degrade antibiotics, Escherichia coli, etc., on site is confirmed. This work displays that the phosphorus-induced electron pump activates O₂, which provides an insight into the electrocatalytic 2e^- ORR.