Highly selective hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis on copper phthalocyanine: interface engineering with an azo-polymer

Abstract

The two-electron oxygen reduction reaction provides a new green route for the sustainable production of H₂O₂, which is cost-effective, less energy-intensive and environmentally friendly compared to the industrial anthraquinone method. However, the activity and stability of the catalyst is still in urgent need of improvement. Herein, the electrode–electrolyte (solid–liquid) interface was adjusted by surface modification of a catalyst, and the modified CuPc-NO₂ catalyst with azo molecules exhibited an improved selectivity of H₂O₂ by 30–50%. Furthermore, the electrode surface was further modified by doping F into the azo molecule to enhance the HO₂⁻desorption property of the catalyst. The proposed CuPc-TAP-F catalyst showed a 98% selectivity of H₂O₂ with a stability of 40 h and a wide potential window of 0.8 V_RHE (≥90% selectivity), reaching a relatively high level in the field of H₂O₂ electrosynthesis from the point of view of both efficiency and stability.