Surface/interface engineering of carbon-based catalysts for hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis

The electrocatalytic two-electron oxygen reduction reaction is an effective, safe and green approach to producing hydrogen peroxide, and ‘catalyst design’ for highly efficient hydrogen peroxide production has already been reported in various works. Specially, the modification of existing catalysts for two-electron oxygen reduction reaction through surface/interface engineering has huge potential to enhance further the catalytic performance of the catalysts. Moreover, a detailed overview on the research progress of carbon-based electrocatalysts through surface/interface engineering and their intrinsic reaction mechanism is helpful in realizing a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the latest progress in this field and further achieving highly efficient hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis. Herein, fundamental aspects of the 2e⁻/4e⁻ pathways of the oxygen reduction reaction are first introduced. Subsequently, a comprehensive summary of the current strategies for carbon-based catalyst modification through surface/interface engineering for high selectivity and yield of hydrogen peroxide production is presented. Finally, the prospects and challenges of hydrogen peroxide production with high efficiency and yield rate are presented, which should shed light on the industrial production and application of hydrogen peroxide.