Electrocatalyst Breakthrough for Efficient H2O2 Production and Biomass Upgrading

Chinese scientists have created a new electrocatalyst with oxygen-coordinated Fe atoms, significantly improving H2O2 production and biomass upgrading. This catalyst marks a significant step in sustainable chemical synthesis.

Scientists from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have synthesized an oxygen-coordinated Fe single atoms and atom clusters catalyst, manifesting superior electrocatalytic performance toward H₂O₂ production and biomass upgrading.

The Significance of H2O2 and Electrocatalysis

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a widely used chemical with applications in diverse fields such as environment, energy, and healthcare. While traditionally manufactured through energy-intensive processes, electrocatalytic synthesis offers a greener and more efficient method using water and oxygen. However, this approach requires advanced electrocatalysts for high yield and selective H₂O₂ production, and further attention is needed for utilizing the generated H₂O₂, particularly in electrochemical organic oxidation processes. This presents significant potential for value-added applications beyond environmental remediation.

Innovative Catalyst Development Process

In this study, the scientists utilized bacterial cellulose as the adsorption regulator and carbon source in combination with a multi-step approach involving wet-chemistry impregnation, pyrolysis, and acid-etching processes to create a catalyst termed FeSAs/ACs-BCC, consisting of oxygen-coordinated Fe single atoms and atom clusters. The presence of both Fe single atoms and clusters was confirmed using advanced imaging techniques such as aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. Also, the atomic structure of Fe was determined using X-ray fine structure absorption spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Exceptional Performance in Electrocatalysis

This catalyst demonstrated outstanding electrocatalytic performance and selectivity for the 2-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e^– ORR) under alkaline conditions. Further H-cell experiments confirmed the accumulation of H₂O₂ in the electrolyte.

Innovations in Biomass Upgrading

Researchers successfully coupled the in situ generated H₂O₂ with the electro-Fenton process using ethylene glycol as the reactant and acidified 0.1M Na₂SO₄ as the electrolyte. This led to a high rate of ethylene glycol conversion and high selectivity for formic acid, showing that the electro-Fenton process has the potential to improve biomass-derived feedstocks through oxidative upgrading.

Aside from that, they developed a three-phase flow cell based on the gas diffusion electrode to further enhance the H₂O₂ yield.

Insights from Density Functional Theory

Density functional theory analyses indicated that the actual catalytically active sites in the 2e^– ORR process were the Fe clusters, and the electronic interaction between Fe single atoms and Fe clusters could significantly enhance the electrocatalytic performance toward 2e^– ORR.

Implications for Future Catalyst Design

This study is instrumental in the design and development of atomic-level electrocatalysts. These catalysts are essential for high-efficiency 2e^– ORR to H₂O₂ and biomass upgrading.

Reference: “Atomically Dispersed Iron Regulating Electronic Structure of Iron Atom Clusters for Electrocatalytic H2O2 Production and Biomass Upgrading” by Hui Xu, Shengbo Zhang, Xinyuan Zhang, Min Xu, Miaomiao Han, Li Rong Zheng, Yunxia Zhang, Guozhong Wang, Haimin Zhang and Huijun Zhao, 09 November 2023, Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202314414