High-Rate Electrosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide in Neutral Electrolytes Enabled by Biomass-Derived Porous Carbon

Abstract

Cathodic oxygen reduction for the electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) offers a green and decentralized alternative to the energy-intensive anthraquinone process. However, its development has been largely confined to alkaline electrolytes, limiting practical application. Designing active and selective catalysts for neutral media is therefore crucial. Herein, we report a facile phosphate-activation method to convert low-cost, amino acid-rich soybeans into N, P, O co-doped porous carbon (NPODC). Electrochemical tests in 0.1 M K₂SO₄ reveal that NPODC-600 exhibits exceptional selectivity for the two-electron oxygen reduction pathway. Structural analysis, in situ characterization, and theoretical calculations confirm the synergistic role of multi-heteroatom doping (N, P, O) and defect structures in optimizing intermediate adsorption. In practical applications, NPODC-600 demonstrated outstanding electro-synthesis of H₂O₂ ability, with a production rate reaching 8089 mg L^-1 h^-1. Importantly, after continuous operation in a solid-state electrolytic cell, 7.5 wt% pure H₂O₂ accumulation was achieved, and rapid synthesis was realized under solar energy drive. This work not only provides a reference for the high-value utilization of biomass but also fully demonstrates the great potential of the two-electron oxygen reduction system in clean energy utilization and H₂O₂ production.

Keywords

biomass / co-doped / hydrogen peroxide / porous carbon / two electron oxygen reduction reaction

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2026 The Author(s). Carbon Neutralization published by Wenzhou University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.