Highly Efficient Electrosynthesis of H ₂ O ₂ by Heteroatom-Doped Carbon Nanosheets for In Situ Sterilization

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) provides a green alternative route for the efficient production of H 2 O 2 . It is important to enhance the environmental safety and compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals. Herein, we report a heteroatom-doped reduced graphene oxide (rGO-N/rGO-S/rGO-SN) catalyst, among which rGO-N exhibits good two-electron catalytic performance in a simulated seawater (3.5% NaCl). The rGO-N has higher activity under neutral conditions while maintaining a high H 2 O 2 selectivity of 70%. The rGO-N presents an attractive H 2 O 2 production amount up to 300 mmol/g/h at a −1.1 mA/cm 2 current density. The remarkable electrocatalytic activity of rGO-N is attributed to the doping of heteroatom nitrogen changing the electronic structure of the material, which makes it easier for the 2e – process. Meanwhile, the H 2 O 2 selectivity of rGO-N could still reach 45% in natural seawater with complex ions. Interestingly, it was found that the chloride ion promotes the H 2 O 2 selectivity of 2e – ORR. Antibacterial experiments were conducted on the H 2 O 2 generated by electrocatalysis in an H-type electrolytic cell. It was found that the sterilization rate during the electrocatalytic process could reach as high as 99% within 30 min in simulated seawater, indicating great potential of the catalyst for future practical applications such as green, effective antibacterial and antifouling in the marine environment.