Tianjin University Developed a Green and Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Peroxide
2025-6-4
Recently, Tianjin University announced that Professor Liang Ji¡äs team from the School of Materials and Engineering successfully developed a high-performance electrocatalyst through a unique interlayer hydrogen bond design, achieving efficient synthesis of green hydrogen peroxide and potentially realizing "ready to use" production.
The Liang Ji¡¯s team developed a nickel-based metal organic framework material. This material has a unique layered structure, which allows the nickel active center to form "interlayer hydrogen bonds" with the amino groups of adjacent layers. This effect is like a "molecular key" that precisely matches the theoretical optimal value of the material¡äs catalytic ability for electro synthesis of hydrogen peroxide, ensuring reaction activity while significantly suppressing side reactions. Unlike traditional catalysts that rely on metal center electronic structure regulation, the research team has achieved precise control of catalytic reactions by designing the molecular stacking method of materials and utilizing non covalent bonding forces such as hydrogen bonds. This "non coordinated structure regulation" strategy provides a new approach for the development of novel electrocatalytic materials, which can be expanded to more chemical reaction systems in the future.
Tests have shown that in neutral and alkaline environments, the yield of hydrogen peroxide prepared by this catalyst far exceeds that of similar products. In artificial seawater, the mass concentration of hydrogen peroxide produced by this catalyst can quickly accumulate up to 1%, while in alkaline solution it can quickly accumulate up to 3%, both meeting practical standards for pollutant degradation, sterilization, and other requirements. For example, using this material to prepare hydrogen peroxide in physiological saline can achieve a 100% killing rate against pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli in just 30 minutes, and rapidly degrade toxic organic dyes.
This new type of catalyst is not only expected to solve the problems of high energy consumption and high pollution in traditional production processes, but also demonstrates good applicability in neutral and alkaline environments as well as complex water quality. At present, the research team is optimizing the preparation process and promoting technology from the laboratory to industrial production lines as it strives to replace traditional high pollution processes as soon as possible and help achieve the goal of green chemical industry.
The Liang Ji¡¯s team developed a nickel-based metal organic framework material. This material has a unique layered structure, which allows the nickel active center to form "interlayer hydrogen bonds" with the amino groups of adjacent layers. This effect is like a "molecular key" that precisely matches the theoretical optimal value of the material¡äs catalytic ability for electro synthesis of hydrogen peroxide, ensuring reaction activity while significantly suppressing side reactions. Unlike traditional catalysts that rely on metal center electronic structure regulation, the research team has achieved precise control of catalytic reactions by designing the molecular stacking method of materials and utilizing non covalent bonding forces such as hydrogen bonds. This "non coordinated structure regulation" strategy provides a new approach for the development of novel electrocatalytic materials, which can be expanded to more chemical reaction systems in the future.
Tests have shown that in neutral and alkaline environments, the yield of hydrogen peroxide prepared by this catalyst far exceeds that of similar products. In artificial seawater, the mass concentration of hydrogen peroxide produced by this catalyst can quickly accumulate up to 1%, while in alkaline solution it can quickly accumulate up to 3%, both meeting practical standards for pollutant degradation, sterilization, and other requirements. For example, using this material to prepare hydrogen peroxide in physiological saline can achieve a 100% killing rate against pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli in just 30 minutes, and rapidly degrade toxic organic dyes.
This new type of catalyst is not only expected to solve the problems of high energy consumption and high pollution in traditional production processes, but also demonstrates good applicability in neutral and alkaline environments as well as complex water quality. At present, the research team is optimizing the preparation process and promoting technology from the laboratory to industrial production lines as it strives to replace traditional high pollution processes as soon as possible and help achieve the goal of green chemical industry.