Ni-doped sites in yeast-derived catalysts for efficient electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

The electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via the 2-electron pathway of oxygen reduction reaction offers a green and on-site product. However, there remains an urgent need to develop cost-efficient electrocatalysts with H2O2 productivity that meets practical industrial-scale requirements. In this study, yeast-derived carbon material loaded with multiple Ni active sites achieved electrochemical synthesis of H2O2 at industrial current density. The precursor of heteroatom-doped carbon material was obtained through high-dispersed Ni(II) adsorption on yeast cells. By adjusting the pyrolysis temperature and Ni loading dosage, the carbon framework, pore structure, and Ni active sites within the obtained Ni/yeast were successfully regulated. Ni/yeast featured with highly active Ni single-atom sites, metallic Ni nanoparticles and Ni2P nanoparticles, enabling stable running for 10 h at 200 mA cm−2 in a flow cell. Ni/yeast exhibits remarkable H2O2 Faradaic efficiency of 94.6 % and a yield of 35.3 mol gcat−1h−1. The abundant pore structure and multiple Ni active sites within Ni/yeast provide promising avenues for manipulating heteroatom-doped carbon materials in H2O2 electrosynthesis.