Green and Efficient Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide Under Sunlight Could Benefit the Industry

Indian researchers have developed an eco-friendly and energy-efficient method to produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) using sunlight. This innovative approach utilizes Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) as photocatalysts, enabling sustainable production without harmful by-products. The new method significantly reduces energy costs and enhances industrial efficiency. With applications in disinfection, paper bleaching, and chemical synthesis, this breakthrough could revolutionize multiple industries. The research marks a major step toward greener and more sustainable chemical manufacturing.

Research teams have developed an energy-saving sustainable approach to manufacture hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) which serves as a fundamental chemical throughout various industries such as disinfection together with paper bleaching and chemical synthesis.

Key Highlights of the Research:

Significance of Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂):

• The synthetic product serves environmental disinfection needs and supports chemical synthesis as well as paper bleaching and fuel cell operations.

• Economic interest in hydrogen peroxide continues to grow owing to public health concerns about disinfection and the escalating surgical procedures alongside hospital infections.

Limitations of Existing Industrial Methods:

• Industrial manufacturing of H₂O₂ through anthraquinone oxidation produces more than 95% of the entire H₂O₂ created globally.

• Hydrogen Peroxide production requires excessive energy at high expense which leads to dangerous by-products.

New Eco-Friendly Approach:

• Scientists work to create financially viable sustainable systems that use renewable resources.

• The recent emergence of Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) as photocatalysts brings potential because of three important features.

  • Modifiable catalytic sites.

  • Efficient light-harvesting in the visible range.

  • Good water affinity.

Research team at S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata:

• Scientists designed hydrazone-linked COFs which demonstrated improved water reacting properties.

• These COFs promote key reactions:

  • Water Oxidation Reaction (WOR).

  • Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR).

  • The photocatalytic system effectively produced H₂O₂ through sunlight activation.

Key Achievements:

• H₂O₂ production quantities exceeding 550 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ were achieved by this photocatalyst under sunlight illumination which surpassed most organic photocatalysts.

• The combination of water-benzyl alcohol solution at 90:10 produced H₂O₂ production of 21,641 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹.

• The material shows readiness to be used in continuous flow reactors which can enhance industrial production capabilities.

Conclusion:

• The renewable H₂O₂ synthesis method holds promise as an environmentally friendly method for industrial production.

• This development enables the transfer of lab-based technologies into industrial operation which yields advantages across different business sectors.

• The method has potential to develop a sustainable H₂O₂ production system which decreases environmental impact in comparison to existing H₂O₂ manufacturing processes.