Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures

Abstract Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in high‐purity water has been measured at temperatures ranging 100 to 280°C in a laboratory test loop. A first‐order decomposition kinetics has been observed in all cases, but the decomposition rates were found to vary widely, depending on the material used in the reaction chamber. In a 4 mm ID stainless steel tubing, the decomposition rate constant is determined to be k = 2 × 10 5 exp(−14800/ RT ). This decomposition rate is approximately 100 times faster than that observed in a Teflon tubing. The variation of decomposition rate in different reaction chambers is attributed to the heterogeneous catalytic effects. There is no evidence of reaction between H 2 and H 2 O 2 in the highpurity water at temperatures up to 280°C.