A new cathode using CeO2/MWNT for hydrogen peroxide synthesis through a fuel cell

Catalyst using CeO2/MWNT (multi-walled carbon nanotube) was prepared by chemical deposition method and was applied to prepare the cathode of fuel cell for hydrogen peroxide synthesis. Effect of catalyst loading, flow rate of aqueous solution, and KOH concentration on hydrogen peroxide synthesis were investigated. Experimental results indicated that hydrogen peroxide concentration approached 275 mmol/L given 25% of CeO2/MWNT, 18 ml/h of aqueous solution, and 5 mol/L of KOH concentration. Moreover, the reaction mechanism was further discussed. The results indicated that MWNT and cerium oxide were the synergism to produce hydrogen peroxide. Increase of KOH concentration not only reduced the apparent cell resistance but also increased the open-circuit voltage.