In the absence of a chem forum I decided to post this thread here.

I am looking for a cheap and effecient way to synthesize hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) of a decent concentration, 20-40% by volume. Of course, if there is a way to make a solution above 40%, it would be even better.

I know there is a catalytic method in doing this but I am not sure what it is, can anyone help?

>> I am looking for a cheap and effecient way to synthesize hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) >>

UV or silent arc discharge in steam (low pressure), with a cooling coil to condense the H202..... all glass equipment...

If you find a better "home" method let me know.

Commercially an organic is used as a base to form H2O2...

I will post more later.

Doesn't that jetpack thing use H2O2 for fuel?

H2O2 can be explosively disociated by a catalyst and therefore can be, and has been used as an effective rocket monofuel. I am not specifically familiar with the jetpack. Concentrated H2O2 is definitely not a material to treat casually. :eek:

Yeah, don't gargle with it :(

H2O2 can be explosively disociated by a catalyst and therefore can be, and has been used as an effective rocket monofuel. I am not specifically familiar with the jetpack. Concentrated H2O2 is definitely not a material to treat casually. :eek:

Yes, when catalysed by silver H2O2 violently decomposes into steam and oxygen gas. I am aware of the risks involved with synthesizing H2O2 which is why I am not particularly keen on making a solution of more than 60% concentration.

You just need to buy some commercially from somewhere like J.T. Baker...if they sell to individuals. I'm not so sure it would be possible to make H2O2 at home.

H2O2 can be explosively disociated by a catalyst and therefore can be, and has been used as an effective rocket monofuel. I am not specifically familiar with the jetpack. Concentrated H2O2 is definitely not a material to treat casually. :eek:It power a few German subs in WWII and the O2 exhaust was welcome, so it can be handeled safely if you know how.

Billy T: Glad to see you in complete agreement with me. Keep up the good work.

When was H2O2 discovered and how is it produced?

H2O2 has been a commercial product since the 1880's, when it produced in the U.K. by burning barium salts to produce barium peroxide which, when dissolved into water, yields H2O2. The early market was largely for bleaching straw hats, which were very much en vogue at the turn of the century. From the 1920's through the 1950's the primary production route was electrolytic, which produced a higher purity, higher strength grade. As demand grew, the need for greater economies of scale led to the process used today for virtually all commercial H2O2 production -- the "auto-oxidation" or AO process, which uses hydrogen as its raw material. The process consists of:

Crude production. A working solution of alkylated anthraquinones which is alternately hydrogenated (using either nickel or palladium catalyst) and then air oxidized to split off H2O2. Each producer has its proprietary collection of anthrquinones, and maintaining the integrity of this working solution is key to safe and efficient H2O2 production.

Separation. The (water insoluble) working solution is then separated from the H2O2 by solvent extraction, and then concentrated and returned to the hydrogenator. The crude H2O2 (about 40% w/w) is sent to distillation.

Purification. Crude H2O2 is purified by distilling to about 60% w/w. This storage product may then be diluted to 35% or 50%, distilled to 70%, and/or purified for high-purity uses (e.g., food processing or semiconductor manufacture).

Stabilization. Since H2O2 decomposition is accelerated by trace levels of contaminants (esp. transition metals) stabilizers are added prior to shipping and storage. The type and level of stabilizer depends on the product grade, but generally consists of chelants/sequestrants such as inorganic and organic phosphates, and/or stannate and silicate.

More information on the AO process can be found in Kirk-Othmer’s Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology or other process papers prepared by SRI International (Stanford Research Institute).
http://www.h2o2.com/intro/faq.html#5

So if I can get my hands on some barium peroxide then I can dissolve it in water to produce H2O2? Sounds too simple to be true, but if it works, why not?

H2O2 decomposes into O2 and water at sea-level pressure. what if a conatiner with water and near-pure O2 were pressurized very highly? would that do the reverse and actually make hydrogen peroxide?

Barium sulphate is used to create those impregnated heavy printed pages... in good text books.

Burn the book !

I am sure there are easier methods..... especially to mass produce... which is my intention.