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Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula H2O2. It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic. It is used extensively for pulp and paper, mining, textile and environmental applications. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide, or "high-test peroxide", is a reactive oxygen species and has been used as a propellant in rocketry.

Synonyms
H202, Hydrogen Peroxide, Oxydol, Perhydrol, Dioxidane, Oxidanyl, Perhydroxic acid, 0-hydroxyol, Dihydrogen dioxide Oxygenated water
Chemical Formula
H202
CAS Number
7722-84-1

Characteristics

Molar Weight
34,0147 g/mol
Melting Point
-0,43 °C
Boiling Point
150,2 °C
Forms
Liquid (clear)

Uses and Applications

Key applications

  • Aseptic packaging
  • Cosmetic products
  • Medical products
  • Disinfectant
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Oxidising agent
  • Water treatment
  • Cleaning products
  • Pulp and paper
  • Textile handling
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Bleaching agent

Industries

General information about Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid compound of hydrogen and oxygen. It has the molecular formula H2O2. Hydrogen peroxide is used as an oxidising agent due to its bleaching and disinfecting properties.
Properties of hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has a pale blue colour - depending on the dilution, it can also be colourless. It is only slightly thicker (more viscous) than water, but has a much higher density.
Hydrogen peroxide is a weak acid that reacts with most substances as a strong oxidising agent. This is why hydrogen peroxide is known as a strong bleaching and disinfecting agent.
Hydrogen peroxide can be mixed with water in any ratio, decomposing into water and oxygen. H2O2 is technically produced by the anthraquinone process.
Layers of various colored papers in stack close-up view

Hydrogen peroxide in the paper industry

The most common use of hydrogen peroxide worldwide stems from ist ability to bleach pulp in an environmentally friendly way. The liquid compound is primarily used to bleach paper and paper products.
Keeping surfaces clean and germ free

Hydrogen peroxide for household use

The term "active oxygen", created by the advertising industry, refers to hydrogen peroxide and bleaching agents containing hydrogen peroxide. These compounds decompose in water and release active, atomic oxygen. In addition to its use as a bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide is used for disinfection due to its cytotoxic properties.
Construction worker fixing wooden stairs with polyurethane spray gun, home renovation

Hydrogen peroxide in the construction industry

Hydrogen peroxide is used to combat mould infestation during renovation work. Another area of application in the construction industry is wooden parts used for restoration or renovation. These are visually enhanced (brightened) with hydrogen peroxide.
Color lipstick palette, close-up brush. decorative cosmetics.

Hydrogen peroxide in the cosmetics industry

Hydrogen peroxide is used in hairdressing salons to colour, tint and permanently reshape hair, for example for a permanent wave or permanent straightening. The term "hydrogen blonde" for a particularly light blonde colour refers to the hydrogen peroxide used for bleaching.
Hydrogen peroxide is also used in the cosmetics industry in mouthwashes, hand sanitisers and face creams to cleanse pores and combat spots and blemishes. Cleaning agents for contact lenses also contain hydrogen peroxide to disinfect visual aids.
Happy female runner holding water bottle

Hydrogen peroxide in the drinking water industry

Hydrogen peroxide plays an important role in drinking water treatment: when UV rays act on hydrogen peroxide, the hydroxyl radical, a much stronger oxidising agent than the peroxide itself, is formed. It is used in water treatment to break down organic impurities.
Green silk textile background

Hydrogen peroxide in the textile industry

Hydrogen peroxide acts as a bleaching agent in the textile industry. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to fix dyes; it is used as an oxidising agent in the dyeing of jeans, for example.
Hydrogen peroxide not only affects the colour of textiles, but also their fabric structure. It can therefore increase softness, smoothness and suppleness.
Hydrogen peroxide is also used as a disinfectant, especially for textiles used in hospitals, care homes and food processing.
Glass-walled building reflecting trees. This is shoot with a composition to look up from a lower place.

Hydrogen peroxide in environmental applications

Hydrogen peroxide is frequently used in sewage treatment plants and in industrial waste water treatment. It breaks down organic impurities, reduces unwanted odours and removes heavy metals from wastewater.
If a soil is contaminated with oil or other pollutants, it can be remediated using hydrogen peroxide. Another area of application for hydrogen peroxide is air purification. It is also used to combat oil spills in the sea and other bodies of water, as it breaks down oil residues. In the renaturalisation of disturbed biotopes, hydrogen peroxide eliminates harmful algae in bodies of water and thus improves water quality.

Hydrogen peroxide in medicine

Hydrogen peroxide is not only used for the optical whitening of teeth, but is also used in dentistry in a 3 per cent solution for the local disinfection of dental tissue and for haemostasis during minor procedures.
In medicine, hydrogen peroxide is also used to disinfect surfaces, instruments, skin and mucous membranes.

Further areas of application for hydrogen peroxide

The liquid compound is added in high concentrations to cooling circuits to prevent bacterial contamination, for example with legionella. Hydrogen peroxide is also used in swimming pool technology to purify the water.
In the food industry, hydrogen peroxide in a 35 per cent solution acts as a disinfectant for packaging. This means that milk, dairy products, sauces and soups, for example, can be kept for longer.
In agriculture, greenhouses are disinfected with hydrogen peroxide. It is also used to oxygenate nutrient solutions for hydroponics. In livestock farming, its is used to disinfect drinking line systems or stables.
Due to its ability to oxidise metals and minerals, hydrogen peroxide plays an important role in mining. It is also used to clean and disinfect equipment, facilities and mining sites.