Metal–organic frameworks for electrocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production

Abstract

The electrocatalytic two electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e-ORR) has aroused extensive attention as a promising alternative route to the prevailing anthraquinone process for H₂O₂ production, where the design of efficient electrocatalysts with high activity, high selectivity and a high H₂O₂ production rate is the key. Metal–organic frameworks are an emerging class of crystalline porous materials with a high specific surface area, ease of structural control, and evenly distributed and well-defined metal sites. These remarkable features provide MOFs with great potential as high-performance electrocatalysts. To date, several excellent reviews of MOF-based electrocatalysts have been reported in the fields of 4e-ORR, oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, CO₂ reduction reaction and nitrogen reduction reaction. However, a dedicated review of 2e-ORRs is still lacking. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in the design of MOF-based 2e-ORR electrocatalysts for H₂O₂ production. The electrocatalytic mechanism and performance evaluation methods of the 2e-ORR is firstly introduced. Then, MOF-based 2e-ORR electrocatalysts including pristine MOFs, MOF composites and MOF derivatives are summarized with the structure–property relationships elucidated. Finally, some current challenges and future perspectives are discussed for the further development of this emerging field.