Phosphorus-Induced Electron Pump Enhances O<sub>2</sub> Activation for Electrocatalytic H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> Production.

Chen, Yingbi; Feng, Qingguo; Bai, Yu; Wang, Meng; Wang, Yuchao; Yang, Peiyao; Deng, Danni; Zheng, Xinran et al. · ACS Nano · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Electrochemical two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e<sup>-</sup> ORR) to produce hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) is attractive, but poor H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> selectivity and activity need to be overcome. Herein, a phosphorus-induced electron pump is demonstrated. The H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> selectivity reaches >90% (93.5% at 0.5 V) in the potential range of 0.2∼0.7 V. The Faradaic efficiency achieves 94.2% at 0.6 V. In situ Raman experiment and density functional theory calculation indicate that the O<sub>2</sub> adsorption and activation are enhanced. The *OOH intermediates are formed at a more positive potential. Furthermore, the universal mechanism of the electron pump is extended. At last, the potential to degrade antibiotics, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, etc., on site is confirmed. This work displays that the phosphorus-induced electron pump activates O<sub>2</sub>, which provides an insight into the electrocatalytic 2e<sup>-</sup> ORR.