Synergistic effect of triphase interface and fluid control for efficient photosynthesis of residue-free H2O2.

Solar-to-chemical energy conversion is a challenging subject for renewable energy storage. Solar-driven hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) synthesis is a sustainable and potentially economic technology. Despite great efforts in catalyst engineering, photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production is usually limited by the sluggish oxygen diffusion and H 2 O 2 decomposition side reactions, leading to poor apparent photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production efficiency. Herein, we developed a fluid triphase system that enables both the efficient interfacial oxygen mass transfer and the inhibited H 2 O 2 decomposition side reactions. Such a synergistic effect endowed a residue-free H 2 O 2 production rate of 6.03 μmol h−1 from pure water and oxygen without using any sacrificial agent or additive, with over 120 h continuous irradiation stability. We further designed a photosynthesis-concentration tandem system to produce high concentration H 2 O 2 (10 mM), which demonstrated an effective water disinfection capability as a representative application. [Display omitted] • A fluid triphase system was developed to achieve residue-free H 2 O 2 production. • The triphase system enables efficient interfacial oxygen mass transfer. • The fluid system can inhibit H 2 O 2 decomposition side reactions. • A concentration tandem system was designed to produce high-concentration H 2 O 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]