Efficient electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide in neutral media using boron and nitrogen doped carbon catalysts

Abstract

The two-electron electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (2e⁻ ORR) is a promising, sustainable, and efficient route for on-site and small-scale production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) compared to the conventional anthraquinone oxidation process. Although heteroatom doped carbon materials are widely studied for the 2e⁻ ORR, few studies have been conducted on the synergistic relationship between multiple doping elements on H₂O₂ performance. Moreover, there is a lack of efficient and stable catalysts for H₂O₂ electrosynthesis in neutral media. In this work, a series of boron and nitrogen co-doped carbon (BNC) catalysts are synthesized and assessed for the 2e⁻ ORR in neutral pH electrolyte. Through X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy analyses, we characterize B–N–C moieties and correlate them with H₂O₂ production performance. In rotating ring disk electrode measurements, BNC catalysts pyrolyzed at 900 °C exhibit H₂O₂ Faradaic efficiency of ∼70% and demonstrate excellent long-term stability over 10 hours of continuous operation. In a three-electrode flow cell, this catalyst achieves ∼78% H₂O₂ Faradaic efficiency and 0.9 mmol cm⁻² h⁻¹ productivity at 0.20 V vs. RHE, surpassing most previously reported carbon-based catalysts in neutral media. This work contributes fundamental insights into the role of boron and nitrogen heteroatom dopants toward 2e⁻ ORR and highlights the practical viability of these catalysts for real world applications.