Hydrogen Peroxide Formation by Electric Discharge with Fine Bubbles

Abstract

Pulsed discharge plasma is typical oxidation technology for disposing organic compounds in aqueous solutions. When this electrical discharge plasma was applied in water, it may produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) without any catalyst or chemical agent. In order to increase H2O2 production by electrical discharge plasma in water, fine bubbles were introduced into the electrical discharge plasma in this experiment. Bipolar pulsed voltages were applied to cylindrical electrodes in the water while Ar or O2 bubbles were introduced, generating a pulsed discharge plasma. The introduction of the bubbles seemed to enhance the dissociation of water molecules and increased H2O2 formation, especially with O2 bubbling. Dissolved oxygen in the water contributed to H2O2 formation by pulsed discharge plasma with the bubbles, while dissociation of water molecules was the cause of H2O2 formation by pulsed discharge plasma without bubbles. More H2O2 was formed by pulsed discharge plasma with O2 bubbles, because the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water increased upon bubbling with O2.