Selective and durable H2O2 electrosynthesis catalyst in acid by selenization induced straining and phasing

Abstract

Developing efficient electrocatalysts for acidic electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) holds considerable significance, while the selectivity and stability of most materials are compromised under acidic conditions. Herein, we demonstrate that constructing amorphous platinum–selenium (Pt–Se) shells on crystalline Pt cores can manipulate the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) pathway to efficiently catalyze the electrosynthesis of H₂O₂ in acids. The Se₂‒Pt nanoparticles, with optimized shell thickness, exhibit over 95% selectivity for H₂O₂ production, while suppressing its decomposition. In flow cell reactor, Se₂‒Pt nanoparticles maintain current density of 250 mA cm⁻² for 400 h, yielding a H₂O₂ concentration of 113.2 g L⁻¹ with productivity of 4160.3 mmol g_cat⁻¹ h⁻¹ for effective organic dye degradation. The constructed amorphous Pt–Se shell leads to desirable O₂ adsorption mode for increased selectivity and induces strain for optimized OOH* binding, accelerating the reaction kinetics. This selenization approach is generalizable to other noble metals for tuning 2e^‒ ORR pathway.

Developing efficient catalysts for acidic electrosynthesis of H₂O₂ is desirable, while most materials are compromised in acidic conditions. Here, the authors report that constructing amorphous Pt–Se shells on crystalline Pt cores can regulate the reaction pathway to efficiently produce H₂O₂ in acid.