Electrochemical Reactors for Continuous Decentralized H₂O₂ Production

Abstract

Abstract The global utilization of H 2 O 2 is currently around 4 million tons per year and is expected to continue to increase in the future. H 2 O 2 is mainly produced by the anthraquinone process, which involves multiple steps in terms of alkylanthraquinone hydrogenation/oxidation in organic solvents and liquid–liquid extraction of H 2 O 2 . The energy‐intensive and environmentally unfriendly anthraquinone process does not meet the requirements of sustainable and low‐carbon development. The electrocatalytic two‐electron (2 e − ) oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) driven by renewable energy (e.g. solar and wind power) offers a more economical, low‐carbon, and greener route to produce H 2 O 2 . However, continuous and decentralized H 2 O 2 electrosynthesis still poses many challenges. This Minireview first summarizes the development of devices for H 2 O 2 electrosynthesis, and then introduces each component, the assembly process, and some optimization strategies.