Simultaneous utilization of electro-generated O2 and H2 for H2O2 production: An upgrade of the Pd-catalytic electro-Fenton process for pollutants degradation

•Pd/Activated carbon/stainless steel mesh (PACSS) hybrid cathode was fabricated.•H2 and O2 from water electrolysis were both utilized by PACSS cathode for H2O2 generation.•PACSS cathode can support effective H2O2 generation and activation simultaneously.•The novel process is more effective for pollutants degradation than Pd-catalytic EF process.