Enhanced H2O2 production over Au-rich bimetallic Au–Pd nanoparticles on ordered mesoporous carbons

The industrial implementation of hydrogen peroxide as a green oxidant requires the development of efficient catalytic systems for its direct synthesis from molecular oxygen and hydrogen. Bimetallic Au–Pd nanoparticles supported on acid pre-treated ordered CMK-3 carbon catalysts show high H₂O₂ productivities and high H2 selectivities (>99%). Encapsulation of the nanoparticles within the pore network lead to stable small size (∼2 nm) particles. This paper reveals that the acid pre-treatment, does not only improve the metal dispersion of metals but most importantly, it promotes their gold enrichment, dramatically decreasing the parallel H₂O₂ decomposition, which is key for the economic feasibility of the process.