Question

What can be used as a catalyst for Hydrogen peroxide?

Answer 1

1. Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid that undergoes decomposition to give oxygen gas and water.
2. The balanced chemical reaction for decomposition of peroxide is :
   $2{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$
3. It is a slow decomposition process, thus needs to be enhanced with the help of a catalyst.
4. Exposing the bottle containing hydrogen peroxide to ultraviolet rays will cause the decomposition process to occur at a faster rate.
5. Also the use if chemicals like Manganese oxide $\left({\mathrm{MnO}}_2\right)$ can be used to catalyse the reaction.
   $2{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{MnO}}_2}{\to }2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$
6. Enzymatically, the peroxide decomposition is carried out with the help of an enzyme called catalase.
   $2{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\stackrel{\mathrm{catalase}}{\to }2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$
7. Thus, hydrogen peroxide decomposition can be catalysed by UV - light, ${\mathrm{MnO}}_2$ and catalase.