Electrochemical oxygen reduction offers an eco-friendly method for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) synthesis, a crucial green chemical. However, the slow kinetics and low selectivity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) hinder practical applications. This study demonstrates that single cobalt atoms anchored on oxygen-functionalized graphene oxide create Co-O-C@GO active centers (Co1@GO), acting as efficient and durable electrocatalysts for H2O2 production. Co1@GO exhibits high reactivity (onset potential of 0.91 V), H2O2 production (1.0 mg cm−2 h−1), and selectivity (81.4%). Experimental and theoretical findings suggest that the high reactivity and selectivity stem from a synergistic effect between the O-bonded single Co atoms and adjacent oxygen functional groups (C-O bonds) within the Co-O-C active centers.

Bin-Wei Zhang, Tao Zheng, Yun-Xiao Wang, Yi Du, Sheng-Qi Chu, Zhenhai Xia, Rose Amal, Shi-Xue Dou, Liming Dai