Improving dispersion of indium polyphthalocyanine on carbon nanotube via molecular modification for efficient oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide.

[Display omitted] • The method of improving dispersion of indium polyphthalocyanine (InPPc) has been proposed. • The sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) modification induces the matched surface hydrophilicity of carbon nanotubes (CNT) with InPPc. • The InPPc/SDBS@CNT exhibits the increased exposure of active site and electron-deficient In center. Molecular catalysts have emerged as the promising candidate for oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2). Dispersing homogeneously molecular catalyst on carbon support is the prerequisite for actual electrocatalysis application. Herein, we proposed a novel strategy of modification with sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) to improve dispersion of indium polyphthalocyanine (InPPc) on carbon nanotube (CNT). The SDBS modification induces the matched surface hydrophilicity of CNT with InPPc, preventing InPPc aggregation. As a result, the InPPc/SDBS@CNT exhibits a remarkable onset potential of 0.84 V vs. RHE and selectivity of > 95 %, superior to InPPc/CNT and most recently reported catalysts. In situ Raman spectrum identifies the critical *OOH intermediate during H 2 O 2 formation on InPPc/SDBS@CNT. Importantly, the InPPc/SDBS@CNT presents a prominent H 2 O 2 production rate of 24.88 mg/cm2/h over 12 h in flow cell. This work provides an effective strategy to promote practical application of molecular catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]