Photolysis of hydrogen peroxide, photocatalytic effects of Cu(II) and reaction kinetics

Abstract

The quantum yield of hydrogen peroxide photolysis has been measured as a function of the concentration of photocatalytically active Cu2+ ions, intensity of photolytic radiation, temperature, and hydrogen peroxide concentration. The results obtained are consistent with the concept that high quantum yields of hydrogen peroxide photolysis (Φ >> 1) are due to thermal decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by photochemically generated copper ions in oxidation states which are catalytically active.