In a breakthrough that could revolutionize sustainable disinfection, Indian scientists have developed a highly efficient photocatalytic method to produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) using sunlight, water, and oxygen — a leap toward eco-friendly, decentralized synthesis of this vital disinfectant.
Hydrogen peroxide is widely used for disinfection, water treatment, and industrial bleaching. However, its conventional production through the anthraquinone process is energy-intensive and heavily reliant on fossil fuels, posing environmental and logistical challenges.
Now, a team of researchers has unveiled a novel photocatalytic system that mimics natural photosynthesis to generate hydrogen peroxide in a clean and scalable way. The process uses advanced catalyst materials that absorb sunlight and convert oxygen and water into H₂O₂ through a selective two-electron oxygen reduction reaction.
This innovation marks a significant advance in green chemistry,” said Dr. Asha Mehta, lead researcher of the study published in Nature Catalysis. “We’ve developed a low-cost, metal-free catalyst that shows record efficiency and stability under visible light.