New insights on efficient electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide production using a very efficient 3-D printed electrochemical reactor (height 4 cm and width 4 cm) equipped with a gas diffusion electrode was evaluated within a wide current density range, close to the necessary for industrial production. The system obtained outstanding efficiencies, which were found to depend on the electrolyte composition but not on the current density. It reached 100% when sodium sulfate was the salt contained in the electrolyte. Opposite to what was expected, efficiencies decreased notably when perchlorate and nitrate were used instead of sulfate in the electrolyte, pointing out the existence of catalytic effects associated with mediated oxidation mechanisms. This evidence pointed out the significance of the anodic process in the cathodic production of hydrogen peroxide and let us obtain a simple phenomenological model that sheds light on the mechanisms that primarily affect the efficient production of hydrogen peroxide and obtain recommendations about how the process efficiency can be increased, making the technology more competitive which takes up very little space at 4 cm high and 4 cm wide and with respect to other electrochemical technologies and facing promisingly the industrial anthraquinone process.