Catalytic Decomposition of H₂O₂over Supported ZnO

Summary.

 Transition metal sulfates of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cr(III), Mn(II), and Fe(III) supported on ZnO were prepared and characterized by SEM, EDX, and XRD. The kinetics of the heterogeneous decomposition of H₂O₂ over these supported catalysts was investigated. The reaction rate is correlated with both the amount of supported metal ion and its redox potential. The rate of reaction increases with increasing initial concentration of H₂O₂, attains a maximum, and decreases thereafter. It also increases with pH and reaches a maximum at high pH values. A reaction mechanism is proposed that implies the formation of a peroxo intermediate at the early stages of the reaction. A second intermediate is assumed to be formed at high [H₂O₂]_o which inhibits the progress of the reaction.