Anodic production of hydrogen peroxide using commercial carbon materials

Abstract

The electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from water is an appealing alternative to substitute the classic anthraquinone process. Herein, we show a process development to maximize the efficiency of the anodic production of H2O2. Carbon materials were used as anodes to optimize process parameters such as current density, electrolyte concentration, and the pH. We found that the electrolyte concentration, pH, and the presence of a chemical stabilizer have a substantial effect on the selectivity of water oxidation to H2O2. The addition of Na2SiO3 as a stabilizer increased the H2O2 production significantly at high pH regimes. A direct relationship between CO32− ion activity and enhanced production of H2O2 was also observed. We report H2O2 concentrations in the anolyte up to 33 mmol L−1 at a current density of 100 mA cm−2 using commercial and low-cost carbon fiber paper.