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Indirect H2O2 synthesis without H2

Author

Listed:
  • Arthur G. Fink

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Roxanna S. Delima

    (The University of British Columbia
    The University of British Columbia)

  • Alexandra R. Rousseau

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Camden Hunt

    (The University of British Columbia
    The University of British Columbia)

  • Natalie E. LeSage

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Aoxue Huang

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Monika Stolar

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Curtis P. Berlinguette

    (The University of British Columbia
    The University of British Columbia
    The University of British Columbia
    Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR))

Abstract

Industrial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is synthesized using carbon-intensive H2 gas production and purification, anthraquinone hydrogenation, and anthrahydroquinone oxidation. Electrochemical hydrogenation (ECH) of anthraquinones offers a carbon-neutral alternative for generating H2O2 using renewable electricity and water instead of H2 gas. However, the H2O2 formation rates associated with ECH are too low for commercialization. We report here that a membrane reactor enabled us to electrochemically hydrogenate anthraquinone (0.25 molar) with a current efficiency of 70% at current densities of 100 milliamperes per square centimeter. We also demonstrate continuous H2O2 synthesis from the hydrogenated anthraquinones over the course of 48 h. This study presents a fast rate of electrochemically-driven anthraquinone hydrogenation (1.32 ± 0.14 millimoles per hour normalized per centimeter squared of geometric surface of electrode), and provides a pathway toward carbon-neutral H2O2 synthesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Arthur G. Fink & Roxanna S. Delima & Alexandra R. Rousseau & Camden Hunt & Natalie E. LeSage & Aoxue Huang & Monika Stolar & Curtis P. Berlinguette, 2024. "Indirect H2O2 synthesis without H2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-44741-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44741-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yang Xia & Xunhua Zhao & Chuan Xia & Zhen-Yu Wu & Peng Zhu & Jung Yoon (Timothy) Kim & Xiaowan Bai & Guanhui Gao & Yongfeng Hu & Jun Zhong & Yuanyue Liu & Haotian Wang, 2021. "Highly active and selective oxygen reduction to H2O2 on boron-doped carbon for high production rates," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
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