High-quality hydrogen peroxide production through electrochemical reduction of anthraquinone in ambient environment.

At present, the traditional anthraquinone method is the main method for producing high-quality and high-concentration H2O2, but it involves the use of H2, resulting in high carbon emissions and certain risks. The double-electron oxygen reduction reaction has become a more environmentally friendly alternative method for producing H2O2. However, at high overpotentials, the production and conversion rates of H2O2 are still limited. Here, we report an electrochemical method that can convert H2O and formaldehyde into high-concentration H2O2 and high-value formate salts with high product purity under environmental conditions. At a current density of 30 milliamperes per square centimeter, continuous operation for 5 hours can produce 6.522% (m/v) H2O2, and the product does not contain acid, alkali, or excessive impurities. Faraday efficiency reaches 83%. The chronopotentiometry method shows stable current performance of the electrode after 360 hours of operation. This low-carbon, safe, and sustainable approach provides a promising alternative to traditional H2O2 production.