Ni-doped sites in yeast-derived catalysts for efficient electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide

The electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via the 2-electron pathway of oxygen reduction reaction offers a green and on -site product. However, there remains an urgent need to develop cost-efficient electrocatalysts with H2O2 productivity that meets practical industrial-scale requirements. In this study, yeastderived carbon material loaded with multiple Ni active sites achieved electrochemical synthesis of H2O2 at industrial current density. The precursor of heteroatom-doped carbon material was obtained through highdispersed Ni(II) adsorption on yeast cells. By adjusting the pyrolysis temperature and Ni loading dosage, the carbon framework, pore structure, and Ni active sites within the obtained Ni/yeast were successfully regulated. Ni/yeast featured with highly active Ni single-atom sites, metallic Ni nanoparticles and Ni2P nanoparticles, enabling stable running for 10 h at 200 mA cm -2 in a flow cell. Ni/yeast exhibits remarkable H2O2 Faradaic efficiency of 94.6 % and a yield of 35.3 mol gcat-1h- 1. The abundant pore structure and multiple Ni active sites within Ni/yeast provide promising avenues for manipulating heteroatom-doped carbon materials in H2O2 electrosynthesis.