H₂O₂ Generation during Carbon Ozonation – Factors Influencing the Process and Their Implications

Hydrogen peroxide generation during contact of aqueous ozone with activated carbon surface is an established process. However, no systematic research concerning this phenomenon has been conducted. In this paper, factors affecting H₂O₂ generation are presented. Formation of hydrogen peroxide in contact of ozone with carbon is a surface phenomenon, strongly affected by the solution pH. Re-ozonation of the same carbon sample does not lead to H₂O₂ generation. Additionally, the amount of generated H₂O₂ is significant only in strongly acidic environment. It implies that hydrogen peroxide generated by surface of activated carbon cannot be ozone decomposition initiator in catalytic ozonation based on activated carbon as a catalyst.