Fe-O₄ Motif Activated Graphitic Carbon via Oxo-Bridge for Highly Selective H₂O₂ Electrosynthesis

Carbon-based materials have been utilized as effective catalysts for hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis via two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e ORR), however the insufficient selectivity and productivity still hindered the further industrial applications. In this work, we report the Fe-O₄ motif activated graphitic carbon material which enabled highly selective H₂O₂ electrosynthesis operating at high current density with excellent anti-poisoning property. In the bulk production test, the concentration of H₂O₂ cumulated to 8.6 % in 24 h and the corresponding production rate of 33.5 mol g_cat ^-1 h^-1 outperformed all previously reported materials. Theoretical model backed by in situ characterization verified α-C surrounding the Fe-O₄ motif as the actual reaction site in terms of thermodynamics and kinetics aspects. The strategy of activating carbon reaction site by metal center via oxo-bridge provides inspiring insights for the rational design of carbon materials for heterogeneous catalysis.