Simultaneous Synthesis of Ozone and Hydrogen Peroxide in a Proton‐Exchange‐Membrane Electrochemical Reactor

Abstract

Deionized water was oxidized to form ozone at the anode while oxygen was reduced to hydrogen peroxide at the cathode in a proton‐exchange‐membrane electrochemical flow reactor. The conditions for simultaneous generation of these oxidants were determined as a function of the applied voltage, electrode materials (lead dioxide for ozone evolution; gold, carbon, or graphite for peroxide evolution), and electrode configurations. Measured and calculated quantities included cell current, liquid‐ and gas‐phase ozone concentrations, hydrogen peroxide concentrations, current efficiency for ozone and peroxide evolution, and ozone and peroxide production rates. An applied potential of 4.5 V resulted in a current density of 2 A/cm2, yielding maximum gas‐ and liquid‐phase ozone concentrations of 60 and 3.1 mg/liter at the anode (4.5% current efficiency) and hydrogen peroxide concentrations between 3 and 5 mg/liter at the cathode (0.8% current efficiency).