TaO/TaN Heterosturecture Promotes the Synergistic Electrosynthesis of Ozone and Hydrogen Peroxide and their Coupled Applications

Coupling of electrocatalytic activity with the synthesis of ozone and hydrogen peroxide remains an ongoing challenge in electrocatalytic processes. Here, a heterogeneous electrocatalyst was engineered to modulate electrochemical ozone production (EOP) activity and enhance the selectivity of the 2e– oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by controlling the ammonia calcination of Ta2O5. The comparative analysis revealed that the less nitrided TaO/TaN-600 exhibited exceptional 2e– ORR selectivity (88%), while the more nitrided TaO/TaN-700 demonstrated superior ozone generation Faraday efficiency (FE 14%), which may contribute to the heterojunction structure optimizing the electronic structure and the adsorption and desorption of oxygen-containing species, enhancing the electrocatalytic performance. Furthermore, the synergistic application of hydrogen peroxide and ozone showed significant efficacy in the removal of organic matter and bacteria. This research introduces a pioneering method for the concurrent generation of ozone and hydrogen peroxide, presenting promising avenues for tackling organic pollutant degradation and addressing antibacterial challenges.