Solar hydrogen peroxide

The fact that the pulp and paper industry has moved to safer bleachers gives hydrogen peroxide a rebirth in both industrial and academic circles. Although H2O2 is environmentally acceptable, its manufacture is a risky route because it involves hazardous chemicals (e.g. anthraquinone). At present, small-scale, on site processes for its production are of increasing interest because of the cost and hazards associated with the transport and handling of concentrated hydrogen peroxide. One of these processes is hydrogen peroxide production by oxygen reduction on a carbon cathode. In this work the feasibility of hydrogen peroxide production by reducing oxygen on a three-dimensional carbon cathode, using solar energy to drive electrochemical reactions, is demonstrated. Hydrogen peroxide possesses wide industrial applications; among them are wastewater treatment and energy production. An appropriated mixture of hydrogen peroxide and Fe(II) produces a strong oxidant (OH center dot) that can be employed to decolorize industrial effluents. A feasible approach to oxidize toxic organic molecules by means of oxygen reduction on a carbon cathode and the production of Fe(II), simultaneously, using an iron anode is presented here. By changing the anode material (e.g. platinum), hydrogen peroxide can be accumulated to a desired concentration and then used in an aluminum/H2O2 battery. This approach is briefly discussed here as well. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.