Environmentally safe storage and sustained release of hydrogen peroxide utilizing commercial hydrogel

• Published in: Chinese chemical letters 2024-08, p.110320, Article 110320
• Main Authors: Chen, Zhuan, Yang, Bo, Li, Jun, Du, Kun, Fu, Jiangchen, Wu, Xiao, Cao, Jiazhen, Xing, Mingyang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: bacterial inactivation; Fenton reaction; H2O2 storage and transportation; hydrogel; sustained release; water remediation
• ISSN: 1001-8417; 1878-5964
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110320

H2O2 is an environmentally friendly oxidizing agent with minimal secondary pollution; however, its application has always been constrained by factors such as storage and transportation. In this study, we propose an innovative method for storing and releasing H2O2 using hydrogels. Commercial hydrogels (sodium polyacrylate) can undergo swelling and absorb H2O2 in aqueous solutions, and the swollen hydrogel can continuously release H2O2 under osmotic pressure. And the characteristics of osmotic pressure drive ensure the recyclability of hydrogel for H2O2 storage. Experimental results demonstrate that H2O2 can stably exist within the hydrogel for an extended period, and this strategy helps to avoid explosion the risk and potential environmental hazards during the transportation of H2O2. Finally, experiments confirm that the hydrogel controlled sustained release of H2O2 is effective in both Fenton reactions and the process of bacterial inactivation. This work introduces new ideas for the storage of H2O2, and the sustained release of H2O2 may have significant implications in the fields of healthcare, environmental science, catalysis, and beyond. In this study, we successfully utilized a commercial hydrogel (SAP) as an effective medium for H2O2 storage without the need for additional stabilizers, ensuring prolonged stability of H2O2 within the hydrogel matrix. Moreover, the demonstrated sustained release capability of H2O2 from the SAP confers notable advantages for Fenton reactions and sustained bacterial inactivation. The efficient storage of H2O2 within hydrogels addresses the challenges associated with its transportation, while the sustained release mechanism holds promise for enhancing its utilization efficiency and facilitating its application in diverse and demanding environments. [Display omitted]