Solar-to-hydrogen peroxide conversion of photocatalytic carbon dots with anthraquinone: Unveiling the dual role of surface functionalities

Solar-driven photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) requires only sunlight, oxygen, and water, making it a green sustainable alternative to conventional H2O2 processes. We present carbon dots (CDs) as new candidate for high-performance production. Owing the generation an excellent charge carrier presence various oxygen-containing functional groups, CDs showed outstanding capability 609.4 ?mol g?1 h?1 even in absence electron donor, demonstrating promising self-electron-donating capabilities. Hydroxyl groups on their surface, particular, serve dual role active sites proton donors toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The activity was significantly improved 1187.8 by functionalizing surfaces with anthraquinone (AQ) co-catalyst; promoted separation electrochemically favored two-electron pathway ORR. These carbon-based metal-free nanohybrids that are unique combination AQ could offer insights into designing efficient photocatalysts future solar-to-H2O2 conversion systems.