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Tailoring the Electrochemical Production of H 2 O 2 : Strategies for the Rational Design of High‐Performance Electrocatalysts
Author(s) -
Zhang Jiayi,
Zhang Haochen,
Cheng MuJeng,
Lu Qi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201902845
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , rational design , heteroatom , commercialization , nanotechnology , electrochemistry , materials science , surface modification , catalysis , oxygen evolution , combinatorial chemistry , chemical engineering , chemistry , electrode , organic chemistry , engineering , business , ring (chemistry) , marketing
The production of H 2 O 2 via the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) presents an attractive decentralized alternative to the current industry‐dominant anthraquinone process. However, in order to achieve viable commercialization of this process, a state‐of‐the‐art electrocatalyst exhibiting high activity, selectivity, and long‐term stability is imperative for industrial applications. Herein, an in‐depth discussion on the current frontiers in electrocatalyst design is provided, emphasizing the influences of electronic and geometric effects, surface structure, and the effects of heteroatom functionalization on the catalytic performance of commonly studied materials (metals, alloys, carbons). The limitations on the performance of the current catalyst materials are also discussed, together with alternative strategies to overcome the impediments. Finally, directions of future research efforts for the discovery of next‐generation ORR electrocatalysts are highlighted.