Practical electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide via paired two-electron oxygen reduction and water oxidation

Mavrikis S, Couce PM, Göltz M, Feith DW, Waddy NNH, Bisselink RJ, van Haasterecht T, Schweiß R, Rosiwal S, de León CP, Bitter JH, Purushothaman RP (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Chemical Engineering Journal Elsevier

Book Volume: 542

Article Number: 177643

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2026.177643

Abstract

Paired electrolysis offers an untapped route towards effective hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production by harnessing both half-reactions efficiently for a single valuable commodity. Here, we report a localised electrochemical system unifying catalyst innovation, convergent two-electron oxygen reduction (2e− ORR) and water oxidation (2e− WOR), and direct H2O2 utilisation. A functionalised and tailored mesoporous carbon catalyst (o-MC-6) was developed, exhibiting near-total H2O2 selectivity (~99%) and durability (15 h) for the 2e− ORR at current densities up to 1 A cm−2 across the full pH range, producing H2O2 at a rate of 21.5 molH2O2 g−1cat h−1 under continuous flow, consuming 7.8 kWh kg−1H2O2, already competitive with the anthraquinone process. Coupling o-MC-6 with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode enables synchronous dual H2O2 generation with a record faradaic efficiency of 173.7%, an unprecedented combined rate of 2.27 mmol min−1, and an energy consumption of only 4.46 kWh kg−1H2O2, representing a 75% increase in energy efficiency. Practicality is showcased by oxidising 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) with 100% conversion and 98% selectivity under mild conditions using electro-synthesised H2O2 streams. This work establishes a robust and scalable system for decentralised H2O2 production, bridging electrocatalyst design with system-level integration, thus unlocking new avenues for green chemical electro-generation.

Authors with CRIS profile

Maximilian Göltz Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Werkstoffkunde und Technologie der Metalle) (WTM) Stefan Rosiwal Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Werkstoffkunde und Technologie der Metalle) (WTM)

Involved external institutions

Wageningen University & Research NL Netherlands (NL) University of Southampton GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Mavrikis, S., Couce, P.M., Göltz, M., Feith, D.W., Waddy, N.N.H., Bisselink, R.J.,... Purushothaman, R.P. (2026). Practical electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide via paired two-electron oxygen reduction and water oxidation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2026.177643

MLA:

Mavrikis, Sotirios, et al. "Practical electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide via paired two-electron oxygen reduction and water oxidation." Chemical Engineering Journal 542 (2026).

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