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The new production process, which uses a material with a structure similar to the two-dimensional (2D) material, reportedly produces higher yields than current methods and could be more cost effective and environmentally friendly.
Hydrogen peroxide is a critical component in a wide range of disinfection and chemical processes, releasing chemical energy to break down pollutants. The market for ‘electronic grade’ hydrogen peroxide is estimated to grow to $2.2bn by 2032.
The researchers used a 3D sponge-like carbon scaffold known as Gii, from Scottish firm Integrated Graphene, which the company claimed has “all the desired properties of graphene yet does not suffer any of its scale-up issues”.
In the new research, Gii-based electrodes effectively produced hydrogen peroxide at four-times the rate of current methods.
“This electricity-based process is both more cost effective and more environmentally sustainable than more commonly used methods which regularly require hazardous chemicals,” an Integrated Graphene announcement said.
“Over 95% of hydrogen peroxide is currently produced through the anthraquinone process, which frequently requires the use of harmful chemicals, resulting in toxic waste. Whilst the alternative electrolytic process is more sustainable, it has – until now – been dogged by high energy consumption and low yields.”
The Gii-based electrodes featured an added microporous polymer (PIM-1) to aid the catalytic surface process. Combining graphene foam and PIM-1 can transform the viability of the electrolytic process, according to the researchers, opening the door to the process potentially becoming the leading production method for electronic-grade hydrogen peroxide in future.
Dr Marco Caffio, Integrated Graphene’s co-founder and CSO, said: “Alongside a growing global demand for hydrogen peroxide, there is a clear requirement by industry for a more sustainable means of production. Combining our Gii technology with PIM-1 is a giant leap forward in developing an alternative process which is greener and more effective than current methods.”
Professor Frank Marken from the University of Bath said: “The improved hydrogen peroxide production is great. Next, we want to go a step further by combining simultaneous anode and cathode processes, both producing hydrogen peroxide to achieve even higher efficiency.”
The work was published in Electrochemistry Communication.
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