Sunlight-powered production of green hydrogen peroxide
CPLAS researchers have developed a new photocatalyst that uses sunlight to produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), a chemical widely used in cleaning, water treatment and manufacturing. Current industrial production methods are energy intensive and rely on large-scale chemical processing, creating a need for more sustainable alternatives.
The team created a photocatalyst based on crystalline carbon nitride materials and enhanced its performance with gold nanoparticles. By carefully designing the material’s structure, they were able to improve the separation of light-generated charges, helping more of the Sun’s energy drive the desired chemical reaction. The addition of gold nanoparticles further increased efficiency by enhancing light absorption through a phenomenon known as localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR).
The resulting system produced high levels of hydrogen peroxide under solar illumination, achieving an apparent quantum yield of 18.8%. The research demonstrates how plasmonic nanomaterials can be used to improve the efficiency of photocatalytic processes and offers a promising route towards more sustainable, solar-powered chemical manufacturing.
As well as advancing the fundamental understanding of photocatalysis, the work highlights the potential of light-driven technologies to support a greener chemicals industry and a more sustainable future.