A research group led by Prof. WAN Yinhua from the Institute of Process Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a catalyst with dual photocatalytic and biomimetic catalytic activity for the production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The strategy involves loading gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto graphite carbon nitride (GCN) nanosheets using polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the "bridge". 

The study was published in Chemical Engineering Journal on Jan. 29 (DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.149183).  

H₂O₂, recognized as an environmentally friendly oxidant, is extensively used in various fields such as medical treatment, environmental restoration, fine chemicals, and electronics industries. However, the conventional method of H₂O₂ production relies on the anthraquinone process, which has several drawbacks including high energy consumption, the use of organic solvents, and safety hazards. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop a sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing process for H₂O₂.  

H₂O₂, recognized as an environmentally friendly oxidant, is extensively used in various fields such as medical treatment, environmental restoration, fine chemicals, and electronics industries. However, the conventional method of H₂O₂ production relies on the anthraquinone process, which has several drawbacks including high energy consumption, the use of organic solvents, and safety hazards. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop a sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing process for H₂O₂.

Proposed mechanism for the H₂O₂ production by PEI-GCN/Au biomimetic-photo-coupled catalysis. (Image by ZHANG Huiru) 

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LI Xiangyu
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Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China.
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