Natural bamboo-derived O-doped rocky electrocatalyst for high-efficiency electrochemical reduction of O2 to H2O2

The in-situ H 2 O 2 electrosynthesis by two-electron oxygen reduction reaction employing renewable electricity is a promising alternative to traditional anthraquinone process due to its security, environmental friendliness and excellent cost effectiveness, which requires high-performance, cost-effective and environmental-friendly electrocatalysts. A bamboo-derived O-doped rocky electrocatalyst is developed by facile pyrolysis and acid treatment for high-efficiency electroreduction of O 2 to H 2 O 2 . Three-dimensional interconnected hierarchical pores in rocky electrocatalysts expose abundant electroactive sites and facilitate mass transfer of reaction species. From the results of rotating ring-disk electrode test, a H 2 O 2 selectivity up to 80% and superior electrocatalytic activity of the prepared electrocatalyst are achieved by surface oxygen functionalization induced by acid treatment. At the optimal catalyst loading of 2 mg cm −2 , prominent H 2 O 2 productivity of 1037 mmol g c a t a l y s t − 1 h − 1 with high current efficiency up to 74.1% is achieved at 30 mA cm −2 by air-breathing cathode. Higher H 2 O 2 productivity (1525 mmol g c a t a l y s t − 1 h − 1 ) is yielded by further raising the current density to 50 mA cm −2 . Moreover, the durability test of the cathode through ten consecutive runs demonstrates its great stability for electrocatalytic generation of H 2 O 2 . This work inspires the development of promising biomass-derived electrocatalysts for green and sustainable on-site H 2 O 2 electrosynthesis. • Bamboo-derived rocky electrocatalyst has great potential for H 2 O 2 production. • 3D interconnected hierarchical pores in the catalyst facilitate the mass transfer. • Surface oxygen functionalization boosts the catalytic performance of the catalyst. • The air-breathing cathode exhibits prominent H 2 O 2 productivity in neutral media. • This work inspires the development of biomass-derived catalysts for 2e − -ORR.