Surface ion isolated platinum-thiocyanate catalysts for hydrogen peroxide production via 2-electron oxygen reduction in acidic media

Electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an attractive alternative to the traditional anthraquinone process. It offers decentralized and on-site generation of H2O2 with a cost-effective system. Noble metals electrocatalysts through alloying or in a single-atomic structure and a few non-precious metals have been demonstrated with high selectivity but the stability remains challenging. Here, we propose a surface ion isolated platinum-thiocyanate (PtSCNx) catalyst as a promising electrocatalyst for the H2O2 electrosynthesis in acidic media. The SCN– binding remarkably weakens the absorption of crucial *OOH intermediate on the Pt surface, leading to the change of ORR electron transfer pathway. The carbon supported PtSCNx exhibits an onset potential of 0.68 V (versus RHE) and ∼ 90% selectivity. Significantly, the PtSCNx/C shows a continual and stable electrolysis over 130 h, which outperforms the state-of-the-art 2e– ORR catalysts. Moreover, an on-site electrochemical rapid removal of organic pollutant is achieved through an electro-Fenton process.