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Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Experimental Methods for Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production in Microgravity Environment
Published on: December 3, 2019
Solar-Driven Ultrafast Production of Gram-Per-Litre Level Hydrogen Peroxide With 2.74% Solar-to-Chemical Efficiency
Qiushi Hu1,2, Ying Qiao3,4, Jianhui Li1
1Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, SUSTech Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Abstract:
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a critical industrial chemical traditionally produced via the energy-intensive anthraquinone process. Here, we report a low-cost (<$0.6/g), hydroxyl-functionalized metal-organic polymer (MIL-2OH-W) featuring abundant undercoordinated [WO6]6 - centers for solar-driven H2O2 production. MIL-2OH-W achieves a record production rate of 11.25 mmol·g- 1·h- 1 in the first 10 min and becomes saturated to 3 mmol·g- 1·h- 1 in 1 h, reaching a concentration of 1.02 g·L- 1 (30 mmol·L- 1) with a 2.74% solar-to-chemical efficiency under mild conditions (40°C). Mechanistic studies from in-situ transient absorption, in-situ infrared, in-situ electron paramagnetic resonance and density functional theory reveal a synergistic photothermal pathway, where aromatic hydroxyl linkers mimic anthraquinone-like redox cycling, stabilize radical intermediates, and accelerate oxygen reduction. The catalyst exhibits exceptional stability (>40 days) and scalability, aligning with the United Nations decarbonization goals. This work provides a blueprint for sustainable H2O2 synthesis by integrating photothermal catalysis with waste-heat utilization.
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