Future generations require more efficient and localized processes for energy conversion and chemical synthesis. The continuous on-site production of hydrogen peroxide would provide an attractive alternative to the present state-of-the-art, which is based on the complex anthraquinone process. The electrochemical reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide is a particularly promising means of achieving this aim. However, it would require active, selective and stable materials to catalyse the reaction. Although progress has been made in this respect, further improvements through the development of new electrocatalysts are needed. Using density functional theory calculations, we identify Pt-Hg as a promising candidate. Electrochemical measurements on Pt-Hg nanoparticles show more than an order of magnitude improvement in mass activity, that is, A g(-1) precious metal, for H2O2 production, over the best performing catalysts in the literature.

H2O2 is a valuable, environmentally friendly oxidizing agent, with a wide range of uses, from the provision of clean water to the synthesis of valuable chemicals. The on-site electrolytic production of H2O2 would bring the chemical to applications beyond its present reach. The successful commercialization of electrochemical H2O2 production requires cathode catalysts with high activity, selectivity and stability. In this Perspective, we highlight our current understanding of the factors that control the cathode performance. We review the influence of catalyst material, electrolyte and the structure of the interface at the mesoscopic scale. We provide original theoretical data on the role of the geometry of the active site and its influence on activity and selectivity. We have also conducted a series of original experiments on (i) the effect of pH on H2O2 production on glassy carbon, pure metals, and metal-mercury alloys, and (ii) the influence of cell geometry and mass transport in liquid half-cells in comparison to membrane electrode assemblies.

CO electroreduction activity on oxide-derived Cu (OD-Cu) was found to correlate with metastable surface features that bind CO strongly. OD-Cu electrodes prepared by H2 reduction of Cu2O precursors reduce CO to acetate and ethanol with nearly 50% Faradaic efficiency at moderate overpotential. Temperature-programmed desorption of CO on OD-Cu revealed the presence of surface sites with strong CO binding that are distinct from the terraces and stepped sites found on polycrystalline Cu foil. After annealing at 350 °C, the surface-area corrected current density for CO reduction is 44-fold lower and the Faradaic efficiency is less than 5%. These changes are accompanied by a reduction in the proportion of strong CO binding sites. We propose that the active sites for CO reduction on OD-Cu surfaces are strong CO binding sites that are supported by grain boundaries. Uncovering these sites is a first step toward understanding the surface chemistry necessary for efficient CO electroreduction.

The direct electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide is a promising alternative to currently used batch synthesis methods. Its industrial viability is dependent on the effective catalysis of the reduction of oxygen at the cathode. Herein, we study the factors controlling activity and selectivity for H2O2 production on metal surfaces. Using this approach, we discover two new catalysts for the reaction, Ag–Hg and Pd–Hg, with unique electrocatalytic properties both of which exhibit performance that far exceeds the current state-of-the art.

The activity and stability of Pt(5)Gd for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) have been studied, using a combination of electrochemical measurements, angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AR-XPS), and density functional theory calculations. Sputter-cleaned, polycrystalline Pt(5)Gd shows a 5-fold increase in ORR activity, relative to pure Pt at 0.9 V, approaching the most active in the literature for catalysts prepared in this way. AR-XPS profiles after electrochemical measurements in 0.1 M HClO(4) show the formation of a thick Pt overlayer on the bulk Pt(5)Gd, and the enhanced ORR activity can be explained by means of compressive strain effects. Furthermore, these novel bimetallic electrocatalysts are highly stable, which, in combination with their enhanced activity, makes them very promising for the development of new cathode catalysts for fuel cells.