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

Q Qiang Tian (State Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Energy Materials, School of Materials and Chemistry) W Wenyi Wang L Lingyan Jing (College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China) X Xieshu Ye (College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China) Y Yan Kong X Xiaojing Huang A Aokang Li (College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China) Z Zehua Zheng (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine) X Xue Zhang Q Qi Hu H Hengpan Yang (College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering) C Chuanxin He (College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering)

Abstract

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 − ORR) for efficient neutral pH H 2 O 2 electrosynthesis, is developed. This model electrocatalyst exhibits exceptional 2e − ORR performance with &gt;95% H 2 O 2 selectivity across 0.2–0.6 V vs RHE in neutral electrolyte. Notably, the system produces up to 7.2 wt% neutral H 2 O 2 solution at an industrially relevant current density of ≈320 mA cm −2 , with 90% Faradaic efficiency for H 2 O 2 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 − ORR process. Moreover, the mesoporous channels of the carbon support create a favorable catalytic microenvironment for O 2 aeration and local alkalinity, further boosting H 2 O 2 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.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 17
Published April 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (12)

Q

Qiang Tian

State Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Energy Materials, School of Materials and Chemistry

W

Wenyi Wang

L

Lingyan Jing

College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China

X

Xieshu Ye

College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China

Y

Yan Kong

X

Xiaojing Huang

A

Aokang Li

College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China

Z

Zehua Zheng

Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine

X

Xue Zhang

Q

Qi Hu

H

Hengpan Yang

College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering

C

Chuanxin He

College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering