Advances in the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen

Advances in the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen

Type	Journal Article
Author	Jennifer K. Edwards
Author	Simon J. Freakley
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920586114002387
Series	Perspectives in the H2O2 direct synthesis reaction process
Volume	248
Pages	3-9
Publication	Catalysis Today
Date	June 15, 2015
Abstract	The direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide has attracted considerable research interest into catalysts which could provide an alternative to the current industrial process. Many catalyst systems have been evaluated, most of which utilize Pd as the active component. The activity of the catalysts can be promoted in a number of ways, either by addition of a second metal, or by adding promoters into the reactant phase such as acid and halides. Acidic supports can increase the activity of catalysts without addition of aqueous acids by minimizing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, and catalysts can be doped with halide ions to minimize the non-selective hydrogenation reaction. The addition of gold to form bimetallic particles has also been shown to increase hydrogen peroxide yield by increasing hydrogen selectivity without the need to add acid and halides. Recent research on the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide has focused on the use of continuous reactor systems such as membrane, fixed bed and microreactors. Recent literature regarding catalyst design and continuous process development as well as historical perspective of the process is discussed in this review.