Metalloenzyme‐Inspired Cluster Fabrication within Mesoporous Channels Featuring Optimized Catalytic Microenvironments for Efficient Neutral pH H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> Electrosynthesis

In nature, some metalloenzymes facilitate highly efficient catalytic transformations of small molecules, primarily attributed to the effective coupling between their metal cluster active sites and the surrounding microenvironment. Inspired by this, a thermotropic redispersion strategy to incorporate bismuth nanoclusters (Bi NCs) into mesoporous channels, mimicking metalloenzyme-like catalysis to enhance the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e<sup>-</sup> ORR) for efficient neutral pH H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> electrosynthesis, is developed. This model electrocatalyst exhibits exceptional 2e<sup>-</sup> ORR performance with >95% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> selectivity across 0.2-0.6 V vs RHE in neutral electrolyte. Notably, the system produces up to 7.2 wt% neutral H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> solution at an industrially relevant current density of ≈320 mA cm<sup>-2</sup>, with 90% Faradaic efficiency for H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> over 120 h in a flow cell, demonstrating significant practical potential. Mechanistic insights reveal that the introduction of Bi NCs enhances the adsorption of the *OOH intermediate, facilitating a highly active 2e<sup>-</sup> ORR process. Moreover, the mesoporous channels of the carbon support create a favorable catalytic microenvironment for O<sub>2</sub> aeration and local alkalinity, further boosting H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> productivity. This catalyst design mimics metalloenzymes by optimal integration of the active site with the surrounding microenvironment, offering valuable insights for the rational design of nature-inspired small-molecule catalysts.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Materials
Published
2025-03-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202503169
Citations
13
Primary Topic
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
4.73

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article

Metalloenzyme‐Inspired Cluster Fabrication within Mesoporous Channels Featuring Optimized Catalytic Microenvironments for Efficient Neutral pH H2O2 Electrosynthesis

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13 citations
Advanced Materials
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
4.73
article

Metalloenzyme‐Inspired Cluster Fabrication within Mesoporous Channels Featuring Optimized Catalytic Microenvironments for Efficient Neutral pH H2O2 Electrosynthesis

Aokang Li, Hengpan Yang, Qiang Tian, Chuanxin He, Yan Kong, Lingyan Jing, Wenyi Wang, Xue Zhang, Qi Hu, Xiaojing Huang, Zehua Zheng, Xieshu Ye
article en
13 citations

Abstract

In nature, some metalloenzymes facilitate highly efficient catalytic transformations of small molecules, primarily attributed to the effective coupling between their metal cluster active sites and the surrounding microenvironment. Inspired by this, a thermotropic redispersion strategy to incorporate bismuth nanoclusters (Bi NCs) into mesoporous channels, mimicking metalloenzyme-like catalysis to enhance the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e<sup>-</sup> ORR) for efficient neutral pH H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> electrosynthesis, is developed. This model electrocatalyst exhibits exceptional 2e<sup>-</sup> ORR performance with >95% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> selectivity across 0.2-0.6 V vs RHE in neutral electrolyte. Notably, the system produces up to 7.2 wt% neutral H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> solution at an industrially relevant current density of ≈320 mA cm<sup>-2</sup>, with 90% Faradaic efficiency for H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> over 120 h in a flow cell, demonstrating significant practical potential. Mechanistic insights reveal that the introduction of Bi NCs enhances the adsorption of the *OOH intermediate, facilitating a highly active 2e<sup>-</sup> ORR process. Moreover, the mesoporous channels of the carbon support create a favorable catalytic microenvironment for O<sub>2</sub> aeration and local alkalinity, further boosting H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> productivity. This catalyst design mimics metalloenzymes by optimal integration of the active site with the surrounding microenvironment, offering valuable insights for the rational design of nature-inspired small-molecule catalysts.

Advanced MaterialsVol. 37(17)
Shenzhen University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
4.73
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