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Updated: May 12, 2026

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
Recent progress of photo-electrochemical hydrogen peroxide production and its cascade reaction
Dehang Sheng1, Wenya Zeng1, Xin Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Design and Manufacturing for Hydrogen Energy Materials, and College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China. 2024500128@buct.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as a green and versatile oxidant, holds significant promise across environmental and energy-related applications. However, its industrial production via the conventional anthraquinone process is plagued by issues including raw material hazards, high energy consumption, complex separation processes, and safety concerns in storage and transportation. In response, photo-electrochemical production has emerged as a sustainable alternative for on-site H2O2 synthesis via two-electron pathways, namely the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and water oxidation reaction (WOR). This review systematically summarizes recent progress in photo-electrochemical H2O2 production, focusing on fundamental mechanisms, catalyst design strategies, and system-level innovations. The working principles of photo-electrochemical systems are amply introduced, emphasizing charge separation and surface reaction dynamics. Subsequently, the thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of ORR and WOR pathways are analyzed, with an emphasis on selectivity regulation between two-electron and four-electron routes. Advances in photo-electrochemical materials are comprehensively reviewed. Key performance indicators such as faradaic efficiency (FE), H2O2 yield, and stability are critically evaluated. Furthermore, emerging applications integrating H2O2 production with environmental remediation (e.g., pollutant degradation, disinfection) and energy conversion systems (e.g., H2O2 fuel cells) are discussed, along with reactor design and scale-up strategies. Finally, current challenges and future directions are outlined, including stability enhancement, selectivity control, and the integration of renewable energy sources. This review aims to provide a comprehensive reference for advancing green and decentralized H2O2 production through photo-electrochemical technologies.
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