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Sol-gel technique is cost effective and requires a low energy input, and environmentally friendly. Higher retention and better stability of hydrogen peroxide at room temperature.
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Track Code 2016-003 Short Description An improved method of in situ encapsulation of hydrogen peroxide in silica gels with a higher retention and better stability at room temperature for various applications. Tags room temperature, stability, oxidant, in situ, entrapment, sol-gel, xerogel, Hydrogel, silica, hydrogen peroxide Posted Date Dec 29, 2015 2:42 PM Background Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has historically been used in multiple applications, including teeth whitening, textile bleaching, skin disinfection, and water treatment, as an environmentally friendly oxidant. However, various factors, such as catalytic impurities, elevated temperatures, pH levels, solar radiation, and airborne particles, can reduce the stability of H2O2 and speed up the decomposition reaction that is harnessed for these applications. To utilize H2O2 as an oxidant, new structures and methods for the entrapment of the compound are needed. Technology UMass Lowell researchers have developed an improved method of encapsulating H2O2 in silica based off of a previous sol-gel technique. This novel method involves the in situ entrapment of H2O2 in silica hydrogels using sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, lithium, beryllium, and aluminum silicate utilizing hydrogen bonding in the silica gel surface. After drying, the hydrogels transform into xerogels to be used in a wider variety of applications. Experimentation performed found that a higher initial concentration of H2O2 and a lower sodium content leads to a higher retention and stability of H2O2 at room temperature. Additionally, mesoporous hydrogels (3-24 nm) with high surface area (1000-1400 m2/g) were obtained at low sodium content. Competitive Advantages Higher retention and better stability of hydrogen peroxide at room temperature. Sol-gel technique is cost effective and requires a low energy input. Silica gel structure is environmentally friendly. Applications Disinfectants and antiseptics. Teeth whitening. Household cleaner. Textile bleaching. Water treatment. Market Potential Transparency Market Research projects the hydrogen peroxide market to reach $6.04 billion by 2023, expanding at a CAGR of 5.6% between 2015 and 2023. More specifically, BBC Research reports that the global market for antiseptics and disinfectants is projected to increase from $5.6 billion in 2015 to $7.9 billion in 2020 at CAGR of 7.0% from 2015 to 2020. Intellectual Property Patent pending. References Sudur, Fulya, and Nese Orbey. "Properties of Hydrogen Peroxide Encapsulated in Silica Hydrogels and Xerogels." Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 54.44 (2015): 11251-11257.