Research Projects

This project proposes an innovative approach to water electrolysis that enables the simultaneous production of hydrogen (H₂) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), two valuable products with significant industrial and environmental benefits. By developing and optimizing nanostructured, earth-abundant electrocatalysts, we aim to make water electrolysis not only more economically viable but also environmentally sustainable. Our approach replaces the traditional oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with a two-electron water oxidation reaction (2e⁻ WOR), producing H₂O₂ at the anode and H₂ at the cathode in a single electrolytic process. Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a clean energy carrier critical to sustainable energy systems, while H₂O₂ serves as a green oxidant used in applications ranging from environmental remediation to industrial bleaching. Despite the potential of electrochemical H₂O₂ synthesis, current production methods rely primarily on the anthraquinone (AQ) process, which involves hazardous chemicals, and phase-transfer catalysis, and presents explosive risks in H₂O₂ handling. Direct synthesis from H₂ and O₂ presents further risks of explosion under pressure, limiting its viability. This project offers a safe, decentralized alternative through electrochemical synthesis, eliminating the need for hazardous reactants and supporting environmental and industrial scalability. In Phase 1, we will fabricate and characterize a series of nanostructured, non-precious metal electrocatalysts, including phosphides and chalcogenides for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and metal oxides for selective 2e⁻ WOR. Metals like Ti, V, W, and Mo will be explored due to their promising low OER activity and optimal binding energies for H₂O₂ evolution. Additionally, incorporating conductive, oxygen-rich supports like graphene oxide and oxidized CNTs is expected to enhance the selectivity of H₂O₂ production at the anode. These catalysts will be synthesized via methods such as electrodeposition, hydrothermal processing, and solvothermal heating. Phase 2 involves screening the fabricated catalysts for HER and 2e⁻ WOR under a range of pH conditions (2–8.9), enabling the selection of optimal catalysts for each reaction. Comprehensive electrocatalytic performance metrics will be assessed, including overpotential, Faradaic efficiency, and stability. The optimal HER and WOR catalysts will then be integrated into a hybrid electrolyzer, facilitating simultaneous H₂ and H₂O₂ generation. In the final phase, a pilot electrolyzer will be assembled in collaboration with electrochemical engineering experts, enabling optimized flow rates and pH conditions to maximize selectivity and minimize further electrooxidation or decomposition of synthesized H₂O₂. This approach will increase the Faradaic efficiency and productivity of H₂O₂, while minimizing side reactions by continuously removing H₂O₂ from the reaction zone.