Energy-Efficient H2O2 Electro-production Based on an Integrated Natural Air-Diffusion Cathode and Its Application

Given the low oxygen mass transfer rate and high aeration energy consumption, the traditional two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is restricted. In this study, the integrated natural air diffusion cathode (INAC) and a reactor configuration with the horizontal scale facing to air (FTA) demonstrated highly selective H2O2 production for the removal of organic contaminants. Simply synthesized by shaping the mixture of carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene, the INAC exhibited not only massive pores in all directions for sufficient mass transfer but also the integrated configuration for low charge transfer resistance. Based on the oxygen mass transfer models, for the ORR reaction kinetics, the interface oxygen concentration index was higher than 40, contributing to the high current efficiency of H2O2 production (>90%). The oxygen diffusion model can provide the quantitative description of H2O2 synthesis for porous electrode optimized design. Combining the INAC with the reactor configuration with the FTA mode for free additional O2/air source supply, the electrical efficiency per order was lower than 0.14 kWh m–3, and the removal rate of sulfonamides per unit current could reach 11 mg min–1 A–1, reaching the best reports. This ultraefficient process equipped with the INAC and the FTA mode provides a meaningful practical application prospect for wastewater treatment.