Methods for Electrochemical Synthesis using Metal-Organic Frameworks on Gas Diffusion Electrodes

This invention overcomes mass transport limits by providing a gas diffusion pathway to
conductive MOF electrodes. At the same applied potential, this translates to a factor of 10×
improvement in current density (>100 mA cm-2) relative to conventional conductive MOF
electrode geometries (<1 mA cm-2). Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) loaded with 2D-MOFs
can sustain the electrosynthesis of H2O2 from O2 and H2O to produce steady-state H2O2
streams with concentrations >110 mM. Several different MOF compositions can be
supported on GDEs. The efficiency of a MOF-bearing GDE can be modulated by tuning the
mass loading of the MOF on the GDE, and by incorporating hydrophobic components to
manage catalyst layer flooding and improve gas transport during electrosynthesis.