Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide, Laboratory and Industrial Preparation of Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is just one oxygen atom different from Water. This is the reason why Thènard described it as oxygenated water after he first prepared it from tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid and Barium Peroxide.

Hydrogen Peroxide exist in trace amount in Air, Dew, Snow and Water that has been exposed to brilliant sunlight. It produces a very weak acid when dissolved in water. It is a pale blue compound (in its pure form) that freezes at about -0.9°C, and boils to decomposition at 150°C.

One important feature is how Hydrogen peroxide solution is stored and sold. Hydrogen peroxide prepared industrially is concentrated by distillation at a reduced pressure in its pure form in other to avoid its catalytic decomposition. It also decomposes when exposed to sunlight, hence Dark bottles or Aluminium containers are used to store the chemical.

The most common use of Hydrogen peroxide is its Antiseptic use. Here, hospitals and Clinics uses Hydrogen peroxide to disinfect old wounds where its foamy and hot sensation also helps to clean the wound. Another common example is what is obtained mostly in Africa where Hydrogen peroxide is used as a solvent for Hair Dye.

Peroxides used in Polymerization reactions are produced from Hydrogen peroxide. Sodium dioxochlorate (III) is an example of compounds made from hydrogen peroxide used in initiating Polymerization reaction.

Lead (II) trioxocarbonate (IV) in white Lead (II) paint is converted to lead (II) Sulphide by atmospheric Hydrogen Sulphide. This reaction darkens the colour of the Paint. Hydrogen Peroxide is added to the Paint to restore the colour where it oxidizes the Lead (II) Sulphide to Lead (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI).

PbS(s) + 4H₂O₂(aq) → PbSO₄(s) + 4H₂O(l)

Paper Industry and the Textile Industry are also known to use Hydrogen peroxide for bleaching delicate materials. Textile industry for example, are known to bleach Wool and silk with the chemical.

Hydrogen peroxide is also used as fuel. Here liquid Hydrogen peroxide is used to generate Oxygen used as fuel in space rocket, and also used in Submarines for the burning of diesel Oil.

Hydrogen Peroxide is prepared in the Laboratory by the reaction of dilute acid on metallic peroxide. The most common chemicals used are dilute Tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid and Barium peroxide.

H₂SO₄(aq)+ BaSO₂(s) → BaSO₄(s) + H₂O₂ (aq)

Here, Barium tetraoxosulphate (VI) salt produced is insoluble and as such can be separated by filtration

Hydrogen peroxide is produced industrially by two methods:

1. The oxidation of Propan-2-ol in the presence of Oxygen and slight pressure.

(CH₃)₂CHOH(l) O₂(g) → (CH₃)₂C=O(l) + H₂O₂(l)

2. The oxidation of substituted Anthracene-9,10-diones.

One more important thing about Hydrogen peroxide is about how it is measured and sold in commercial quantity. Here it is sold in concentration of 10-volume, 20-volume and 30-volume. The concentration is expressed in terms of the volume of Oxygen liberated when the hydrogen peroxide completely decompose at s.t.p. That is, 1cm³ of a 20-volume hydrogen peroxide will liberate 20cm³ of Oxygen, Icm³ of 10-volume solution will liberate 10cm³ oxygen at s.t.p., and 1cm³ of the 30-volume will also liberate 30cm³ at s.t.p.