Hydrogen peroxide is an important industrial chemical that consists of hydrogen and oxygen.
Hydrogen peroxide, also called hydrogen dioxide, is a colorless, syrupy liquid that has a sharp odor. Chemists classify any solution of water and hydrogen peroxide that contains more than 8 percent hydrogen peroxide as corrosive. Such solutions irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Concentrations of hydrogen peroxide higher than 50 percent can cause serious burns.
Pure hydrogen peroxide is stable if handled properly and kept free from contamination. Such factors as light, heat, chemical catalysts, dirt, and rust may cause hydrogen peroxide to decompose into water, oxygen, and heat. Decomposition of a sufficiently concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution yields enough heat for an explosion. Contact with combustible materials may result in fire. However, hydrogen peroxide’s instability makes it a good oxidizing agent because the oxygen freed in decomposition readily combines with other substances.
Hydrogen peroxide is widely used in industry. Solutions containing 3 to 6 percent hydrogen peroxide are used as antiseptics and germicides and as a skin cleanser. Higher concentrations are used in the manufacture of many chemical compounds. They also serve as bleaching agents for textiles and paper pulp, and as rocket propellants.
