Direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide in microreactors

Several studies concerning direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide in microreactors are reviewed. Several types of microreactors have been applied. Their high surface area-to-volume ratio and small internal volume improve safety, which is required when operating with explosive gases. The tested microreactors represent capillary reactors and more sophisticated reactors with a special plate structure on which reaction channels have been machined. Both single- and multi-channel arrangements have been applied. The catalysts have been installed in the reactor in the form of powder or washcoat layer on the channel wall. Palladium and platinum on various support material, such as SiO2, Al2O3 and C, have been tested. Water was the most common solvent, but also methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol have been used because of their better gas dissolving properties. In addition to solvents, chemicals, often called promoters, have been utilised to improve productivity. The most typical promoters were halide ions, such as Br- and Cl- and inorganic acids. Hydrogen peroxide has been produced successfully by several research groups. The highest reported mass fraction of hydrogen peroxide was 5 wt %. DOI: 10.1134/S1070363212120304