CoN graphene encapsulated cobalt catalyst for H2O2 decomposition under acidic conditions

Abstract

AbstractHydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been listed as one of the 100 most important chemicals in the world. However, huge amount of residual H2O2 is hard to timely decomposed into O2 and H2O under acidic condition, easily resulting in explosion hazard. Here, we reported a core–shell structure catalyst, that is graphene with CoN structure encapsulated Co nanoparticles. CoN graphene shell serves as the active site for the H2O2 decomposition, and Co core further enhance this decomposition. Benefiting from it, the H2O2 decomposition were close to 100% after 6 cycles without pH adjustment, which increased 6 orders of magnitude compared with no catalyst. At the same time, the O2 generation reached 99.67% in 2 h with little metal leaching, and ·OH has been greatly inhibited to only 0.08%. This work can cleanly remove H2O2 with little deep oxidation and protect the process of H2O2 utilization to achieve a safer world.