Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is a chemical substance. In its original and pure form, it is a pale blue liquid, a bit more viscous than water. Hydrogen Peroxide is typically used as a cleaning agent, antiseptic, and oxidizer. It is also referred to as Dioxidane, Perhydroxic acid, Dihydrogen dioxide, Peroxaan, Oxygenated water, Oxidanyl, and 0-hydroxyl. KPL International Limited is one of the leading Hydrogen Peroxide suppliers and distributors. It is well-known for marketing quality products, especially in paper and paper chemical, polymers, and chemicals.
High-Test peroxide is a concentrated Hydrogen Peroxide, which is highly reactive to oxygen family. This concentrated Hydrogen Peroxide is an unstable compound, which decomposes when exposed to the light. It is used as a propellant in rocket propulsions. Hydrogen Peroxide is also present in the human body and animals. But this compound present in the body is harmful to cells, as peroxide ions oxidize proteins, DNA, and membrane lipids.
Structure and Preparation Of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)
- Structure
Hydrogen Peroxide involves oxygen-oxygen single bond. It is similar to the water, with an extra oxygen atom attached. It is non-planar, having an open book structure with O – O links. Its pH is around 4.5 PH, which is acidic and is entirely degradable.
- Preparation
Hydrogen Peroxide is formed using two different methods – laboratory method and industrial method.
- Laboratory Method
In the laboratory method, The barium peroxide is acidified and undergoes the evaporation process under the reduced pressure. During the evaporation process, excess water gets evaporated, and we get hydrogen peroxide.
- Industrial Method
Hydrogen Peroxide using the industrial method is obtained through the electrolysis of 30% ice-cold Sulphuric acid (H2SO4). In the electrolysis process, sulphuric acid is electrolyzed at high density to form Peroxodisulphate. Peroxodisulphate is further hydrolyzed to obtain Hydrogen Peroxide.
Top 10 Uses Of Hydrogen Peroxide In Industries
- Aseptic Packaging
Aseptic packaging involves sterilization of packaging materials to kill all microorganisms present before the product is poured into it. For inline aseptic packaging, Hydrogen Peroxide is one of the successful sterilizing compounds. It is used with a temperature of up to 80 degrees Celsius. The concentration of H2O2 is up to 30%, and contact time of up to 15 seconds.
- Chemical Synthesis
Hydrogen Peroxide in the chemical synthesis field acts as an oxidizing agent. This compound’s molecular weight is relatively less than other oxidizing agents. Therefore, Hydrogen Peroxide is one of the most efficient oxidizing agents than potassium dichromate and potassium permanganate. It is soluble in several other organic solvents, like water.
- Electronic Industry
In the electronic industry, Hydrogen Peroxide is used as a cleaning and oxidizing agent. It is used as an etchant while manufacturing the printed circuit boards. An etchant is a corrosive chemical that removes unwanted parts of any metal surface to form a design. Moreover, the production process of semiconductor also involves Hydrogen Peroxide as a cleaning and oxidizing agent.
- Cosmetics And Medicine
Hydrogen Peroxide has oxidizing properties. Hence, it is used as a disinfectant and a bleaching agent in cosmetics and medical industries. In hair dying products, this compound acts as an antimicrobial agent. It is also utilized as an oxidizing agent for whitening teeth in the medical industry.
- Food Processing
Due to H2O2’s oxidizing properties, it acts as a bleaching agent in foods, like edible oil, wheat flour, etc. Like natural sugar, starch, crude oil, gums, etc., food materials are bleached using H2O2. It is also utilized as a sterilizing agent in food packaging and antimicrobial agent in milk.
Also Read: Moving Online: Why 2021 Is the Year to Take Your Business Digital
- Environment
Hydrogen Peroxide also contributes its properties in the environmental industry. It is majorly used in the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP). In this process, hydroxyl radicals help to decompose toxic compounds. Moreover, several technological processes utilize H2O2 to mitigate adverse effects on the environment.
- Pulp And Paper Industry
Hydrogen Peroxide acts as a bleaching agent in chemical and mechanical pulp bleaching sequences in the pulp and paper industry. Moreover, it is used as a de-inking compound in the paper recycling industry.
- Mining
In the mining industry, H2O2 is the most significant source of oxygen and acts as an oxidizing agent. It is typically used in the gold and uranium manufacturing process for ore leaching and concentration preparation.
- Transportation Industry
As mentioned above, Hydrogen Peroxide is commonly used as a propellant for steam turbines, helicopters, submarine, and rocket propulsion.
- Textile Industry
Hydrogen Peroxide is the primary bleaching agent used for treating synthetic and natural fibres in the textile industry. This compound helps fibres, like wool, linen, silk, rayon, etc., to gain more brightness, retaining their mechanical properties. This bleaching agent is eco-friendly and is suitable for all kinds of fibres.
Conclusion
Hydrogen Peroxide has its applications in several fields of industries. KPL International Limited is one of the foremost Hydrogen Peroxide suppliers that offer several chemicals, paper, polymer, wax, etc. It has been ranked as one of the top 100 chemical distributors in the ICIS Global list.