Enhanced electrocatalytic performance for H2O2 generation by boron-doped porous carbon hollow spheres

Electrocatalytic generation of H 2 O 2 via the 2-electron pathway of oxygen reduction reaction (2e-ORR) is an attractive technology compared to the anthraquinone process due to convenience and environmental friendliness. However, catalysts with excellent selectivity and high activity for 2e-ORR are necessary for practical applications. Reported here is a catalyst comprising boron-doped porous carbon hollow spheres (B-PCHSs) prepared using the hard template method coupled with borate transesterification. In an alkali electrolyte, the selectivity of B-PCHS for 2e-ORR above 90% in range of 0.4–0.7 V RHE and an onset potential of 0.833 V was obtained. Meanwhile, the generation rate of H 2 O 2 reached 902.48 mmol h −1 g cat −1 at 0.4 V RHE under 59.13 mA cm −2 in batch electrolysis. The excellent catalytic selectivity of B-PCHS for 2e-ORR originates from the boron element, and the catalytic activity of B-PCHS for H 2 O 2 generation is contributed to the morphology of porous hollow spheres, which facilitates mass transfer processes.