Synergistic photocatalytic synthesis of H2O2: Mechanistic insights and sustainable applications

Abstract

The synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) via photocatalysis represents a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach with significant potential for diverse applications. This study reveals the involvement of a novel triple interplay catalytic cycle in the photocatalytic production of H₂O₂, providing crucial insights into the underlying reaction mechanisms. Utilizing modified carbon nitride (m-CN) as the catalyst, we achieved H₂O₂ concentrations of 3368 mmol L⁻¹ (11.5 wt.%) and a production rate of 4900 mM g cat⁻¹ h⁻¹, demonstrating significant improvements over existing methods. Stability tests and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the robustness of the system over 100 h. Mechanistic studies, including EPR spectroscopy and kinetic analysis, further elucidated the reaction pathways, enhancing our understanding of H₂O₂ synthesis. This research offers a foundation for designing next-generation photocatalytic systems with improved efficiency and selectivity, contributing to the advancement of sustainable H₂O₂ production for cooperative organic synthesis.