Is it possible to ionize hydrogen peroxide at home?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of ionizing hydrogen peroxide mist at home using a high voltage electrical field or corona arc. Participants explore the potential methods for conducting such an experiment, the purpose of ionization, and the safety considerations involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of ionizing hydrogen peroxide mist and seeks methods to measure the degree of ionization without sophisticated lab equipment.
  • Another participant questions the purpose of ionizing hydrogen peroxide and suggests a reference related to disinfection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Some participants express concern about the lack of safety measures and background knowledge for conducting the experiment.
  • There are suggestions to measure conductivity or resistance in the mist as a potential indicator of ionization.
  • One participant argues that measuring conductivity may not directly correlate with the effectiveness of hydroxyl radicals in killing viruses.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the reported mechanism involves the generation of reactive hydroxyl radicals rather than just ionization.
  • Concerns are raised about the safety and feasibility of replicating established protocols for disinfecting respirators using ionized hydrogen peroxide.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and safety of conducting the proposed experiment at home. There is no consensus on the best method to measure ionization or its relevance to the effectiveness of hydroxyl radicals.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of safety equipment, insufficient background knowledge among some participants, and the dependence on established protocols that may not be replicable in a home setting.

yair252525
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TL;DR
how to check if I ionize hydrogen peroxide mist?
Hi,

I wonder maybe anyone can help me.

I’m trying to ionize hydrogen peroxide mist with the help of a high voltage electrical filed / corona arc.

And I wonder if there is a way to know if I ionize the hydrogen peroxide mist at all? And if so, how much do I ionize it (compering to deferent voltages… ).
I mean to do a home experiment to check it, with no sophisticated lab equipment. just to see if I have any effect at all. Thx.

Yair.
 
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Welcome to the PF. :smile:

(BTW -- I have deleted your other cross-posts of this question in other forums. Please only post one copy of a new thread. Thank you.)
yair252525 said:
I’m trying to ionize hydrogen peroxide mist with the help of a high voltage electrical filed / corona arc.
Why? What is the purpose of such ionization?
yair252525 said:
I mean to do a home experiment to check it, with no sophisticated lab equipment.
So you don't even have a chemical hood for conducting this experiment? What is your background in chemistry and materials? What lab classes have you taken so far?
 
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berkeman said:
Welcome to the PF. :smile:

(BTW -- I have deleted your other cross-posts of this question in other forums. Please only post one copy of a new thread. Thank you.)

Why? What is the purpose of such ionization?

So you don't even have a chemical hood for conducting this experiment? What is your background in chemistry and materials? What lab classes have you taken so far?
I don't have any background.
the gas and arc I can make. i just what to know if it is ionizing
or not.
 
Probably nothing you can do without a specialized equipment.
 
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what about measuring the conductivity/ resistance in the air/ mist ? would I see a change?
or an easy way to look at the right spectrum of light to see a change? (when looking at ozone making. we can see a small ching)
 
You would be measuring something unrelated to the action of the ‘ionized’ mist, namely, the generation of virus-killing reactive hydroxyl radicals. Might be a waste of time.
 
  • #10
chemisttree said:
You would be measuring something unrelated to the action of the ‘ionized’ mist, namely, the generation of virus-killing reactive hydroxyl radicals. Might be a waste of time.
thx.
I did not understand why do you think it is a waste of time?
BTY, if I ionized gas- don't I change it electrical filed and by that change its conductivity?
 
  • #11
Yeah, sure you would. But measuring ionized air would tell you nothing about how well hydroxyl radicals killed virus. The reported mechanism is that the cold arc generator produces reactive hydroxyl radicals and that they inactivate virus.
Why do you want to measure resistance, capacitance or impedance of ionized air? Got a Theremin laying around you want to use?
 
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  • #12
yair252525 said:
I don't have any background.
So you are not going to be able to duplicate this protocol safely (from the link in post #3):
Therefore, we attempted to disinfect N95 respirators using SteraMist Binary Ionization Technology solution delivered through a SteraMist Surface Unit, registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency [5].

The main constituent is 7.8% H2O2 solution, which is converted to ionized H2O2 (iHP) after passing through a cold plasma arc, and moves like a gas over the surfaces of N95 respirators. The by-product of iHP is oxygen and water in the form of humidity.
The experiment was conducted in a well-ventilated room with six air changes per hour inside a biosafety level 2 microbiology laboratory, with the operator wearing a coverall protective gown.
Since you would not be able to do this experiment safely, we need to close this thread now.
 

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