Progress in Design Strategies for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Generation

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) emerges as an environmentally sustainable oxidant with great potential in diverse fields. However, the efficiency of H₂O₂ generation via photocatalysis remains suboptimal. Fundamentally, this inefficiency stems from the rapid recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, limited surface or interface activity, restricted solar light absorption, and poor selectivity. Here, we discuss the fundamental mechanisms of photocatalytic H₂O₂ generation over the key material systems and highlight the most effective design strategies to address the unmet challenges faced by these systems. This review not only discusses fundamental insights into the mechanisms of photocatalytic H₂O₂ generation but also provides perspectives on future directions for the development of photocatalytic materials with high-efficiency and stability in generating H₂O₂.