Citation: Mahmoud Sayed, Han Li, Chuanbiao Bie. Challenges and prospects of photocatalytic H₂O₂ production[J]. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, ;2025, 41(9): 100117. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100117 shu

Challenges and prospects of photocatalytic H₂O₂ production

Mahmoud Sayed ^{1, 2} ,
Han Li ³ ,
Chuanbiao Bie ^1,,

1.
Laboratory of Solar Fuel, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei Province, China
2.
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt
3.
School of Automotive Materials, Hubei University of Automotive Technology, Shiyan 442020, Hubei Province, China

Corresponding author: Chuanbiao Bie, biechuanbiao@cug.edu.cn
Received Date: 2 May 2025
Revised Date: 6 June 2025
Accepted Date: 10 June 2025

Fund Project: the National Key Research and Development Program of China 2022YFB3803600the National Natural Science Foundation of China W2433135the National Natural Science Foundation of China 22361142704the National Natural Science Foundation of China 22261142666the National Natural Science Foundation of China 22202187the National Natural Science Foundation of China U23A20102the Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China 2025AFB492the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) CUG22061

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is one of the 100 most important chemicals used extensively in bleaching, disinfection, and synthetic chemistry industries. It is currently used as a fuel in direct fuel cells. The current H₂O₂ production relies on the harsh anthraquinone oxidation approach. Photocatalytic H₂O₂ production is a more favorable alternative from environmental, sustainability, and economic viewpoints. The process requires water and molecular oxygen as inputs and sunlight as the sole power source. Despite these merits, the practical application of this technology remains challenging. The most common bottlenecks are the photocatalyst's inadequacy, uphill thermodynamics, sluggish process kinetics, and competitive and backward reactions. This paper discusses these limitations and highlights the proposed perspectives to improve the efficiency and selectivity, aiming to pave the way toward large-scale H₂O₂ photogeneration.
- Thermodynamics,
- Kinetics,
- Backward reaction,
- Side reaction,
- Hydrogen peroxide
1. [1]
  M. Sayed, K. Qi, X. Wu, L. Zhang, H. García, J. Yu, Chem. Soc. Rev. 54 (2025) 4874, https://doi.org/10.1039/d4cs01091d. doi: 10.1039/d4cs01091d
2. [2]
  R.J. Lewis, G.J. Hutchings, ChemCatChem 11 (2019) 298, https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201801435.
3. [3]
  R.J. Lewis, G.J. Hutchings, ChemCatChem 11 (2019) 298, https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201801435. doi: 10.1002/cctc.201801435
4. [4]
  L. Xie, X. Wang, Z. Zhang, Y. Ma, T. Du, R. Wang, J. Wang, Small 19 (2023) 2301007, https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202301007. doi: 10.1002/smll.202301007
5. [5]
  C. Cheng, J. Yu, D. Xu, L. Wang, G. Liang, L. Zhang, M. Jaroniec, Nat. Commun. 15 (2024) 1313, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45604-5. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-45604-5
6. [6]
  www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/hydrogen-peroxide-market, accessed on May 31, 2025.
7. [7]
  H. Shang, H. Zhou, Z. Zhu, W. Zhang, J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 18 (2012) 1851, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2012.04.017. doi: 10.1016/j.jiec.2012.04.017
8. [8]
  L. Wang, J. Sun, B. Cheng, R. He, J. Yu, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 14 (2023) 4803, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00811. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00811
9. [9]
  S. Wu, X. Quan, ACS ES & T Eng. 2 (2022) 1068, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestengg.1c00456. doi: 10.1021/acsestengg.1c00456
10. [10]
  K. Zhang, Y. Li, S. Yuan, L. Zhang, Q. Wang, Acta Phys.-Chim. Sin. 39 (2023) 2212010, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202212010. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202212010
11. [11]
  B. He, Z. Wang, P. Xiao, T. Chen, J. Yu, L. Zhang, Adv. Mater. 34 (2022) 2203225, https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202203225. doi: 10.1002/adma.202203225
12. [12]
  X. Zhang, D. Gao, B. Zhu, B. Cheng, J. Yu, H. Yu, Nat. Commun. 15 (2024) 3212, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47624-7. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-47624-7
13. [13]
  J. Qiu, K. Meng, Y. Zhang, B. Cheng, J. Zhang, L. Wang, J. Yu, Adv. Mater. 36 (2024) 2400288, https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202400288. doi: 10.1002/adma.202400288
14. [14]
  Z. Jiang, J. Zhang, B. Cheng, Y. Zhang, J. Yu, L. Zhang, Small 21 (2025) 2409079, https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202409079. doi: 10.1002/smll.202409079
15. [15]
  Y. Yang, B. Zhu, L. Wang, B. Cheng, L. Zhang, J. Yu, Appl. Catal. B. 317 (2022) 121788, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.121788. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.121788
16. [16]
  L. Wang, J. Zhang, Y. Zhang, H. Yu, Y. Qu, J. Yu, Small 18 (2022) 2104561, https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202104561. doi: 10.1002/smll.202104561
17. [17]
  H. Shi, Y. Li, X. Wang, H. Yu, J. Yu, Appl. Catal. B 297 (2021) 120414, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.120414. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.120414
18. [18]
  B. Liu, C. Bie, Y. Zhang, L. Wang, Y. Li, J. Yu, Langmuir 37 (2021) 14114, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02360. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02360
19. [19]
  K. Meng, J. Zhang, B. Zhu, C. Jiang, H. García, J. Yu, Adv. Mater. 37 (2025) 2505088, https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202505088. doi: 10.1002/adma.202505088
20. [20]
  Y. Ma, S. Wang, Y. Zhang, B. Cheng, L. Zhang, J. Materiomics 11 (2025) 100978, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmat.2024.100978. doi: 10.1016/j.jmat.2024.100978
21. [21]
  Y. Zhang, Y. Wang, Y. Liu, S. Zhang, Y. Zhao, J. Zhang, J. Materiomics 11 (2025) 100985, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmat.2024.100985. doi: 10.1016/j.jmat.2024.100985
22. [22]
  Y. Zhao, Y. Zhang, L. Wang, C. Ai, J. Zhang, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 229 (2025) 213, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2024.12.040. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2024.12.040
23. [23]
  Y. Liu, M. Li, T. Liu, Z. Wu, L. Zhang, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 233 (2025) 201, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2025.03.005. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2025.03.005
24. [24]
  C. Kim, S. O Park, S. K. Kwak, Z. Xia, G. Kim, L. Dai, Nat. Commun. 14 (2023) 5822, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41397-1. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41397-1
25. [25]
  W. Zhong, A. Meng, Y. Su, H. Yu, P. Han, J. Yu, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 64 (2025) e202425038, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202425038. doi: 10.1002/anie.202425038
26. [26]
  X. Zhou, C. Ai, X. Wang, Z. Wu, J. Zhang, J. Materiomics 11 (2025) 100974, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmat.2024.100974. doi: 10.1016/j.jmat.2024.100974
27. [27]
  Y. Zhang, J. Qiu, B. Zhu, G. Sun, B. Cheng, L. Wang, Chin. J. Catal. 57 (2024) 143, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64580-2. doi: 10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64580-2
28. [28]
  Y. Wu, Y. Yang, M. Gu, C. Bie, H. Tan, B. Cheng, J. Xu, Chin. J. Catal. 53 (2023) 123, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64514-0. doi: 10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64514-0
29. [29]
  F. J. Millero, F. Huang, A. L. Laferiere, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac. 66 (2002) 2349, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(02)00838-4. doi: 10.1016/S0016-7037(02)00838-4
30. [30]
  S. Zhou, D. Wen, W. Zhong, J. Zhang, Y. Su, A. Meng, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 199 (2024) 53, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2024.02.048. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2024.02.048
31. [31]
  H. Li, B. Zhu, B. Cheng, G. Luo, J. Xu, S. Cao, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 161 (2023) 192, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2023.03.039. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.03.039
32. [32]
  C. Bie, L. Wang, J. Yu, Chem 8 (2022) 1567, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2022.04.013. doi: 10.1016/j.chempr.2022.04.013
33. [33]
  M. Teranishi, S. Naya, H. Tada, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 132 (2010) 7850, https://doi.org/10.1021/ja102651g. doi: 10.1021/ja102651g
34. [34]
  X. Yin, H. Shi, Y. Wang, X. Wang, P. Wang, H. Yu, Acta Phys.-Chim. Sin. 40 (2024) 2312007, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202312007. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202312007
35. [35]
  A. Meng, X. Ma, D. Wen, W. Zhong, S. Zhou, Y. Su, Chin. J. Catal. 60 (2024) 231, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60008-2. doi: 10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60008-2
36. [36]
  Y. Zhao, S. Zhang, Z. Wu, B. Zhu, G. Sun, J. Zhang, Chin. J. Catal. 60 (2024) 219, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64645-5. doi: 10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64645-5
37. [37]
  Y. Wu, C. Cheng, K. Qi, B. Cheng, J. Zhang, J. Yu, L. Zhang, Acta Phys.-Chim. Sin. 40 (2024) 2406027, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202406027. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202406027
38. [38]
  Y. Yang, X. Zhou, M. Gu, B. Cheng, Z. Wu, J. Zhang, Acta Phys.-Chim. Sin. 41 (2025) 100064, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100064. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100064
39. [39]
  L. Liu, M. Gao, H. Yang, X. Wang, X. Li, A. I. Cooper, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 143 (2021) 19287, https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.1c09979. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c09979
40. [40]
  K. Meng, J. Zhang, B. Cheng, X. Ren, Z. Xia, F. Xu, L. Zhang, J. Yu, Adv. Mater. 36 (2024) 2406460, https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202406460. doi: 10.1002/adma.202406460
41. [41]
  R. He, D. Xu, X. Li, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 138 (2023) 256, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2022.09.002. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2022.09.002
42. [42]
  T. Zhou, X. Liu, L. Zhao, M. Qiao, W. Lei, Acta Phys.-Chim. Sin. 40 (2024) 2309020, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202309020. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202309020
43. [43]
  G. Liu, R. Chen, B. Xia, Z. Wu, S. Liu, A. T.-Kiakalaieh, J. Ran, Chin. J. Catal. 61 (2024) 97, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60014-8. doi: 10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60014-8
44. [44]
  K. Li, J. Mei, J. Li, Y. Liu, G. Wang, D. Hu, S. Yan, K. Wang, Sci. China Mater. 67 (2024) 484, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-023-2717-0. doi: 10.1007/s40843-023-2717-0
45. [45]
  C. Xia, L. Yuan, H. Song, C. Zhang, Z. Li, Y. Zou, J. Li, T. Bao, C. Yu, C. Liu, Small 19 (2023) 2300292, https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202300292. doi: 10.1002/smll.202300292
46. [46]
  Z. Chen, D. Yao, C. Chu, S. Mao, Chem. Eng. J. 451 (2023) 138489, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.138489. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.138489
1. [1]
  Heng Zhang . Determination of All Rate Constants in the Enzyme Catalyzed Reactions Based on Michaelis-Menten Mechanism. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(4): 395-400. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202310047
2. [2]
  Jiaxi Xu , Yuan Ma . Influence of Hyperconjugation on the Stability and Stable Conformation of Ethane, Hydrazine, and Hydrogen Peroxide. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(11): 374-377. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202402049
3. [3]
  Yu Dai , Xueting Sun , Haoyu Wu , Naizhu Li , Guoe Cheng , Xiaojin Zhang , Fan Xia . Determination of the Michaelis Constant for Gold Nanozyme-Catalyzed Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(5): 351-356. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202407052
4. [4]
  Yiying Yang , Dongju Zhang . Elucidating the Concepts of Thermodynamic Control and Kinetic Control in Chemical Reactions through Theoretical Chemistry Calculations: A Computational Chemistry Experiment on the Diels-Alder Reaction. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(3): 327-335. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202309074
5. [5]
  Yeyun Zhang , Ling Fan , Yanmei Wang , Zhenfeng Shang . Development and Application of Kinetic Reaction Flasks in Physical Chemistry Experimental Teaching. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(4): 100-106. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202308044
6. [6]
  Jiageng Li , Putrama . 数值积分耦合非线性最小二乘法一步确定反应动力学参数. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(6): 364-370. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202407098
7. [7]
  Ruming Yuan , Pingping Wu , Laiying Zhang , Xiaoming Xu , Gang Fu . Patriotic Devotion, Upholding Integrity and Innovation, Wholeheartedly Nurturing the New: The Ideological and Political Design of the Experiment on Determining the Thermodynamic Functions of Chemical Reactions by Electromotive Force Method. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(4): 125-132. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202311057
8. [8]
  Zhiwen HU , Ping LI , Yulong YANG , Weixia DONG , Qifu BAO . Morphology effects on the piezocatalytic performance of BaTiO₃. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(2): 339-348. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240172
9. [9]
  Xuzhen Wang , Xinkui Wang , Dongxu Tian , Wei Liu . Enhancing the Comprehensive Quality and Innovation Abilities of Graduate Students through a “Student-Centered, Dual Integration and Dual Drive” Teaching Model: A Case Study in the Course of Chemical Reaction Kinetics. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(6): 160-165. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202401074
10. [10]
  Dexin Tan , Limin Liang , Baoyi Lv , Huiwen Guan , Haicheng Chen , Yanli Wang . Exploring Reverse Teaching Practices in Physical Chemistry Experiment Courses: A Case Study on Chemical Reaction Kinetics. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(11): 79-86. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202403048
11. [11]
  Yue Wu , Jun Li , Bo Zhang , Yan Yang , Haibo Li , Xian-Xi Zhang . Research on Kinetic and Thermodynamic Transformations of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials for Fluorescent Anti-Counterfeiting Application information: Introducing a Comprehensive Chemistry Experiment. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(6): 390-399. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202403028
12. [12]
  Jianchun Wang , Ruyu Xie . The Fantastical Dance of Miss Electron: Contra-Thermodynamic Electrocatalytic Reactions. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(4): 331-339. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202406082
13. [13]
  Tongqi Ye , Yanqing Wang , Qi Wang , Huaiping Cong , Xianghua Kong , Yuewen Ye . Reform of Classical Thermodynamics Curriculum from the Perspective of Computational Chemistry. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(7): 387-392. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202409128
14. [14]
  Yuchen Zhou , Huanmin Liu , Hongxing Li , Xinyu Song , Yonghua Tang , Peng Zhou . Designing thermodynamically stable noble metal single-atom photocatalysts for highly efficient non-oxidative conversion of ethanol into high-purity hydrogen and value-added acetaldehyde. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(6): 100067-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100067
15. [15]
  Xiaohui Li , Ze Zhang , Jingyi Cui , Juanjuan Yin . Advanced Exploration and Practice of Teaching in the Experimental Course of Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics under the “High Order, Innovative, and Challenging” Framework. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(7): 368-376. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202311027
16. [16]
  Shule Liu . Application of SPC/E Water Model in Molecular Dynamics Teaching Experiments. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(4): 338-342. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202310029
17. [17]
  Yaling Chen . Basic Theory and Competitive Exam Analysis of Dynamic Isotope Effect. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(8): 403-410. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202311093
18. [18]
  Jiayu Gu , Siqi Wang , Jun Ling . Kinetics of Living Copolymerization: A Brief Discussion. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(4): 100-107. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202406012
19. [19]
  Zhuoya WANG , Le HE , Zhiquan LIN , Yingxi WANG , Ling LI . Multifunctional nanozyme Prussian blue modified copper peroxide: Synthesis and photothermal enhanced catalytic therapy of self-provided hydrogen peroxide. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(12): 2445-2454. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240194
20. [20]
  Jinfu Ma , Hui Lu , Jiandong Wu , Zhongli Zou . Teaching Design of Electrochemical Principles Course Based on “Cognitive Laws”: Kinetics of Electron Transfer Steps. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(3): 174-177. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202309052

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(18)
HTML views(8)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142

Challenges and prospects of photocatalytic H2O2 production

Metrics

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

Challenges and prospects of photocatalytic H₂O₂ production