Development of a reactor with carbon catalysts for modular-scale, low-cost electrochemical generation of H₂O₂

The development of small-scale, decentralized reactors for H₂O₂ production that can couple to renewable energy sources would be of great benefit, particularly for water purification in the developing world. Herein, we describe our efforts to develop electrochemical reactors for H₂O₂ generation with high Faradaic efficiencies of >90%, requiring cell voltages of only ∼1.6 V. The reactor employs a carbon-based catalyst that demonstrates excellent performance for H₂O₂ production under alkaline conditions, as demonstrated by fundamental studies involving rotating-ring disk electrode methods. The low-cost, membrane-free reactor design represents a step towards a continuous, modular-scale, de-centralized production of H₂O₂.