The effect of deformation on catalytic activity of platinum in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

Abstract The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide has been studied on annealed and cold-worked platinum foils. The reaction was confirmed to be first order. The reaction rate constant was found to increase with the degree of cold work, and a direct relationship between the catalytic activity of the platinum and its deformation was established. The increase in activity is apparently due directly to deformation since the possible effects of preferred orientation and increased surface area proved to be negligible.