Synergistic Effect of a Bi2MoO6/g-C3N4 Composite for Highly Selective Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction to Produce H2O2

Abstract

The design of high-performance electrocatalysts for the environmentally friendly synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via a two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e– ORR) method, which presents a promising alternative to the traditional anthraquinone process, remains a significant challenge. Thus, there is an urgent demand for the development of highly efficient and selective electrocatalysts for H2O2 generation. Herein, a cost-effective, precious metal-free Aurivillius oxide and heteroatom-based carbon composite material, i.e., Bi2MoO6/g-C3N4 (BMO/gCN), synthesized by the solvothermal method, is demonstrated for the 2e– ORR. The optimized composite catalyst (1:1 BMO/gCN) exhibits superior H2O2 selectivity of 86–97% at a wide potential range of 0.2–0.6 V versus RHE and electron transfer number (n) values between 2.06 and 2.27 in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte. The synthesized electrocatalyst exhibits consistent H2O2 selectivity, as demonstrated by a 50 h durability test at 0.3 V versus RHE. The Faradaic efficiency and H2O2 yield rate reached a maximum of 98% and 860 mmol g–1 h–1, respectively, at 0.3 V versus RHE after 5 h of electrocatalysis for H2O2 production. To further support the experimental finding, density functional theory calculations using the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof functional with Grimme’s D3 dispersion correction are performed. The BMO/gCN composite structure exhibits the favorable Gibbs free energy profile for the 2e– ORR pathway, with spontaneous OOH* formation (ΔG = −1.00 eV) and highly exothermic H2O2 generation (ΔG = −1.28 eV), confirming its superior catalytic activity and selectivity toward H2O2 production. This work presents a fresh approach to an efficient electrocatalyst for 2e– ORR. © 2026 American Chemical Society