How to Determine the Strength of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)

Last Updated on 09/01/2021

How to Determine the Strength of Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)

Mustaque Ahammed Mamun
Department of Textile Engineering
Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (DUET)
Email: mamuntex09@gmail.com

Introduction:
Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) is widely used as bleaching agent in textile industry. It is used for the bleaching of natural, vegetable and animal fibers derived from cellulose such as cotton, linen and other bast fibers. Among the oxidizing agents Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) has high bleaching effect at reasonable cost. It keeps fiber quality good. In this article I will determine strength of Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂).

The strength of H₂O₂ is expressed in two ways-

Volumetric
Percentage (%w/v)

Volumetric: In this way, the strength is expressed as the volume of oxygen gas liberated from one unit of H₂O₂ liquor under standard condition (i.e. N.T.P.)

For example: If 1cc of H₂O₂ liberates 100cc oxygen at S.T.P. The strength of H₂O₂ will be called 100 volumes H₂O₂.

Percentage (%w/v): This is the weight of H₂O₂ per unit volume. This is more commonly used in our country.

Generally 35% H₂O₂ and 50% H₂O₂ used in textile sector in our country. But 50% H₂O₂ is most widely used. If 50 gm H₂O₂ is present in 100cc solution, then it will be called 50% H₂O₂.

Objectives:

To know about how determined the strength of H₂O₂.
To know about the titration process.
To know about the solution making.
To know about the end point of this testing.

Apparatus:

Beaker
Pipette
Stirrer
Graduate cylinder
Electronic balance

Reagents:

0.1 N KMnO4
10 % H2SO4
And H₂O₂

Procedure:

2.5 ml H₂O₂ is taken
↓
Then it is diluted with 500 ml water
↓
From that solution 25 ml is taken
↓
After that it is diluted with 25 ml 10% H₂SO₄
↓
Then it is taken in Conical flask. Then this sample solution is treated with 0.1 N KMnO₄

End Point: The end point is determined when the colorless solution becomes permanent pink in color.

Calculation:

2KMnO₄ + 3H₂SO₄ + 5H₂O₂ → K₂SO4 + 2MnSO₄ + 8H₂O +5O₂

Molecular equivalent weight of H₂O₂ = 17 gm

So, 1000 ml Molecular equivalent weight is 17

1 ml molecular equivalent weight is = 17/1000 = 0.017 gm

In 500 ml water the amount of sample (H₂O₂) is 2.5 ml

So, 25 ml of water the amount of sample (H₂O₂) is = (2.5 x 25) / 500 = 0.125

Normality of KMnO₄ is 0.1 N

And volume used of KMnO₄ is 21.75

Following formula is used for determine strength of Hydrogen Peroxide:

Results and discussion:

Required Amount of KMnO4	Strength of H₂O₂
21.75	29.58%
22	29.92%
22.1	30.056%
21.80	29.648%
20.3	27.608%

From above results, we can say that the strength of H₂O₂ is near as 30% which was indicated at the bottle but our different persons results have been obtained near to 30% and my results is 29.58% which is less than 30% because we have done experiment manually so something can be inaccurate measurement of pipette or burette reading. But our last person results is 27.608% which is very less than 30%, so I think that, his experiment more inaccurate measurement of different chemicals.

Conclusion:
At last we can say that, how to determine the strength of H₂O₂, is known by this experiment. Knowledge is gained from this experiment which is very helpful in our practical life.

Mazharul Islam Kiron

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.