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.