Abstract
Industrial production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is energy-intensive and generates unwanted byproducts. Herein, an alternative production strategies of H2O2 are demonstrated in a Zn-air and a photoelectrochemical cell. Employing an optimally produced reduced graphene oxide (rGO) electrocatalyst@air-cathode, an impressive power density of 320 Wmgeo -2 (geo = geometric area) is achieved along with a high H2O2 production rate of 3.17mol mgeo -2h-1 (operating potential = 0.8V). Systematic investigations reveal the critical role of specific functional groups (viz. C─O─C, chemisorbed O2, C≐C) to be responsible for enhancing the yield of H2O2. The in situ generated superoxide (O2˙) and hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) act as oxidants to efficiently degrade onsite, a model textile dye pollutant (viz. rhodamine B) inside the Zn-air cell. Using the identical rGO as the photoelectrode in an H-type cell, the H2O2 production is remarkably enhanced under visible light illumination. Simultaneously, the onsite pollutant degradation occurs five times faster than the Zn-air cell (at the same operating potential = 0.8 V). This work opens a new paradigm for electrosynthesis, wherein an underlying redox can be utilized to synthesize industrial chemicals for onsite control of environmental pollution sustainably.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call