Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide - kinetics and review of chosen catalysts

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical used in oxidation reactions, treatment of various inorganic and organic pollutants, bleaching processes in pulp, paper and textile industries and for various disinfection applications. It is a monopropellant, which, when purified, is self-decomposing at high temperatures or when a catalyst is present. Decomposing to yield only oxygen and water(disproportionation), hydrogen peroxide is one of the cleanest, most versatile chemicals available. The catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide allows the use of various catalysts that will increase the rate of decomposition. Comparison and description of the most commonly used catalysts were presented in this review.

Keywords

• decomposition
• hydrogen peroxide
• catalysis
• catalysts
• silver catalyst
• photocatalysis