H2O2 Generation during Carbon Ozonation - Factors Influencing the Process and Their Implications

Hydrogen peroxide generation during contact of aqueous ozone with activated carbon surface is an established process. However, no systematic research concerning this phenomenon has been conducted. In this paper, factors affecting H2O2 generation are presented. Formation of hydrogen peroxide in contact of ozone with carbon is a surface phenomenon, strongly affected by the solution pH. Re-ozonation of the same carbon sample does not lead to H2O2 generation. Additionally, the amount of generated H2O2 is significant only in strongly acidic environment. It implies that hydrogen peroxide generated by surface of activated carbon cannot be ozone decomposition initiator in catalytic ozonation based on activated carbon as a catalyst.