Highly efficient electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide over nitrogen and phosphorus dual-doped carbon nanosheet in alkaline medium

Electrochemical two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a promising green method for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, but the H2O2 selectivity and productivity in alkaline medium have remained too low for economic viability of the process. In the present work, we reported the design and preparation of nitrogen and phosphorus dual-doped carbon nanosheet (NPCNS) through direct pyrolysis of supramolecular aggregates that resulted from the cross-linking reaction between nitrogen bio-functional groups of chitosan and phosphoric groups of phytic acid. The resultant NPCNS catalysts exhibited very high electrochemical ORR activity and selectivity toward H2O2 production in alkaline medium due to the unique 2D nanostructure and the synergistic effect between nitrogen and phosphorus dopant. High practical H2O2 production rate of 223.4 mmol gcatayst−1 h−1 with high faradaic efficiency of 80% could be also achieved in home-made H-cell, indicating the potential applications of H2O2 in the waste water treatment, pulp and paper industry.