Citation: Xiaoping Zhang, Xiaoyun Wang, Liqun Cheng, Lijuan Liu, Jianchuan Liu, Jianhua Ding, Roman Balabin, Xinglei Zhang, Konstantin Chingin, Huanwen Chen. Catalyst-free production of hydrogen peroxide enabled by plasma-microdroplet-generated water radical cations[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(12): 112774. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112774 shu

Catalyst-free production of hydrogen peroxide enabled by plasma-microdroplet-generated water radical cations

a.
The Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry and Instrumentation, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
b.
Cancer Research Center, The Key Laboratory for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Cancer using Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China

zhangxpsunshine@163.com

Received Date: 17 November 2025
Revised Date: 4 March 2026
Accepted Date: 14 April 2026
Available Online: 19 April 2026

Figures(4)

The development of efficient and sustainable synthesis methods for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is crucial, given its broad utility as a green oxidant in chemical manufacturing and environmental remediation. Herein, we report a catalyst-free strategy for the abundant production of H₂O₂ directly from water under ambient conditions via a plasma-microdroplet platform. This approach achieves a high H₂O₂ yield of 42.7 mg/h and >96% selectivity, substantially surpassing those of other water-activation methods. Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction proceeds through the in-situ generation of water dimer radical cations ((H₂O)₂^+•), which then follow two possible pathways: (1) Dissociation into hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) that recombine to form H₂O₂, or (2) directly conversion to H₂O₂^+• and H₂. Theoretical calculations support these pathways and underscore the ubiquity of (H₂O)₂^+• in various aqueous activation systems (e.g., microdroplets, pneumatic atomization, and ultrasonic β-cyclodextrin cavitation). With its operational simplicity, scalability, and avoidance of complex purification, this method offers a promising and industrially viable route to H₂O₂ production.
- Mass spectrometry,
- H₂O₂,
- Water radical cation,
- Corona discharge
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