Ni3N2 clusters anchored on biomass derived N-doped carbon nanostructures for efficient hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis

The electrocatalytic two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e – ORR) offers an environmentally friendly method for hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) production, yet the development of efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts remains a significant challenge. Herein, we have synthesized Ni 3 N 2 clusters anchored on N-doped carbon nanostructures (Ni 3 N 2 /NC) through a straightforward biomass-derived modification-pyrolysis method for efficient H 2 O 2 production. Theoretical calculations reveal that the d-band center of Ni sites in Ni 3 N 2 /NC shows a downshift and successive state, which is beneficial to the formation of key *OOH intermediates and occurrence of subsequent reactions. Remarkably, Ni 3 N 2 /NC achieves a 2e – ORR selectivity of 91.65% and an onset potential of 0.69 V. When tested in a practical flow cell, Ni 3 N 2 /NC exhibits a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 91.42 % and attains a maximum H 2 O 2 yield of 3.26 mol g cat −1 h −1 at 100 mA/cm 2 . Additionally, the FE remains above 85% during a 12 h constant current stability test at 40 mA/cm 2 , highlighting its potential for sustainable H 2 O 2 production.