Cyclodextrin polymers loaded low crystalline NiOx for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen peroxide generation

• A method for loading low-crystallinity NiOx onto β-cyclodextrin using EDTA. • The lcNiOx-ECDP exhibits exceptional selectivity and activity in H 2 O 2 generation. • The in-situ generated H 2 O 2 effectively inactivates E. coli . Developing efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) synthesis presents as a promising alternative to conventional anthraquinone-based processes for applications in sterilization, Fenton reaction, and other chemical processes. Herein, we synthesized a low-crystalline NiO x supported on EDTA-crosslinked cyclodextrin polymers (lcNiO x -ECDP) electrocatalyst. The cyclodextrins framework demonstrated unique structural properties, with hydrophilic external surfaces facilitating H + adsorption in aqueous solutions, while their hydrophobic internal cavities enhanced O 2 adsorption. This dual affinity feature was expected to significantly improve the catalytic performance in gas-liquid-solid triphase interfacial chemical reactions. Electrochemical analysis revealed exceptional performance metrics, including a Faraday efficiency of approximately 80%, a maximum H 2 O 2 selectivity of 93%, and an electron transfer number of 2.2, highlighting the high efficiency of lcNiO x -ECDP for H 2 O 2 electrosynthesis. Furthermore, its practical efficacy was verified through bacterial inactivation experiments using Escherichia coli , achieving a sterilization efficiency of 99.7% within 30 min. These findings not only validate the catalytic sterilization efficacy of lcNiO x -ECDP, but also provide valuable insights for the development of advanced disinfection technologies, particularly in medical sterilization and ballast water treatment.