Introduction
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a common but powerful oxidizing agent that is commonly found in households. With its wide range of uses from cleaning wounds to bleaching hair, hydrogen peroxide has made its way into several consumer products. However, beyond its domestic uses, hydrogen peroxide also has diverse industrial applications due to its oxidizing properties.

Chemical Properties
Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid that is slightly more viscous than water. Its chemical formula is H2O2 which represents its composition of two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms. Having an unpaired electron, hydrogen peroxide is chemically unstable and tries to pair its remaining electron by reacting with other substances. This electron starving property makes it a powerful oxidizing agent that can oxidize other substances. Specifically, hydrogen peroxide readily reacts with oxidizable substances and undergoes reduction to form water and oxygen as byproducts.

Decomposition and Catalysis
Being an unstable molecule, Hydrogen Peroxide readily decomposes to form water and oxygen. This decomposition is promoted and accelerated in the presence of certain catalysts such as metallic ions, enzyme catalase or ultraviolet light. The commonly used decomposition reaction is 2H2O2 → 2H2O + O2. Metals like manganese, cobalt or molybdenum readily catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. This exothermic reaction produces heat energy and is the basis of hydrogen peroxide fuel in rocket engines. Many organisms also produce catalase enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide.

Medical and Household Uses
Taking advantage of its oxidizing and antimicrobial properties, hydrogen peroxide finds widespread use as a disinfectant. It is commonly used to disinfect cuts and wounds due to its ability to kill germs and promote healing. Hydrogen peroxide is also used as a mouthwash to whiten teeth and treat gingivitis. In households, it is used for cleaning and bleaching purposes. It bleaches hair and removes stains from fabrics by oxidizing dirt and dyes. Hydrogen peroxide is also added to soaps and detergents to improve their cleaning ability. In agriculture, it is used for cleaning and disinfecting farming equipment.

Industrial Applications
Apart from domestic uses, hydrogen peroxide has gained increasing applications in various industries owing to its oxidizing and cleaning abilities. It is used by the plastic industry to initiate chemical reactions that produce polytetrafluoroethylene resins. In the pulp and paper industry, hydrogen peroxide helps bleach wood pulp and remove lignin, thereby producing brighter colored paper. It is also used in semiconductor manufacturing to decontaminate wafer surfaces. Textile and apparel industries use hydrogen peroxide to artificially fade or discolor fabric dyes and produce stonewashed effects in denims. Being environment friendly, hydrogen peroxide is replacing several toxic chemicals in these industries.

Uses in Water and Wastewater Treatment
One of the largest applications of hydrogen peroxide is in water and wastewater treatment. In water treatment facilities, it is used as a disinfecting agent and oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide helps remove manganese, iron and hydrogen sulfide impurities from water by oxidizing them. It also kills pathogens, parasites and algae, thereby purifying water. Similarly, in wastewater treatment plants, it acts as a strong disinfectant to remove disease-causing microbes from sewage. Hydrogen peroxide also promotes the breakdown of recalcitrant organic substances in wastewater through oxidation. This improves the effectiveness of biological treatment processes.

Fuel Cell Applications
Hydrogen peroxide continues to draw research interest for use as a high density liquid fuel, especially in fuel cells. It offers nearly 2 times higher gravimetric and volumetric energy density compared to liquid hydrogen. This makes it an attractive candidate for portable fuel cell applications where weight and volume are critical factors. Several automakers are exploring using hydrogen peroxide in fuel cell vehicles as an alternative to compressed hydrogen gas tanks. However, challenges remain in safely handling and storing this unstable liquid fuel. Further research is being conducted on improving storage techniques and developing catalysts for efficient decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into hydrogen and oxygen fuel.

Hydrogen peroxide is a simple but powerful oxidizing agent with widespread domestic and industrial applications. While commonly used as a disinfectant and cleaner, it also finds niche applications in industries like semiconductors, textiles, water treatment and fuel cells. Hydrogen peroxide efficiently removes bacteria, algae and other impurities by oxidation. As environmental concerns rise, it replaces toxic chemicals and is emerging as a green oxidizer across many sectors. Although further development is still needed, hydrogen peroxide holds immense potential as a high energy density liquid fuel. Overall, backed by its oxidizing properties, cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness, the utility of this common compound continues growing.

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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it