Work

Constant flow oxygen generation with manganese oxide supported on spherical activated carbon using hydrogen peroxide decomposition

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In situations where oxygen is scarce or absent, such as during prolonged diving or high-altitude mountaineering, or in cases where breathing becomes impossible due to toxic substances like in fires or chemical, biological, or radiological incidents, a device that supplies a specific amount of oxygen is necessary for survival.A Manganese Oxide/Spherical Activated Carbon (Mn-SPAC) catalyst was produced for the purpose of creating a steady oxygen supply. This was achieved through the carbonization and activation of manganese-exchanged resin under nitrogen and steam conditions.The characteristics of Mn-SPAC were analyzed using pore characteristics analysis, XRD, FE-SEM, and XPS, focusing on the amount of added manganese and carbonization time. To optimize conditions for generating a consistent amount of oxygen, the synthesized catalyst was reacted with 30% hydrogen peroxide, and the amount of oxygen produced was measured.In the optimized reaction setup, a consistent oxygen release was monitored for a duration of 20 minutes during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Comparative XPS studies conducted pre- and post-reaction demonstrated the oxidation state of manganese following the process. These observations indicate that the newly developed catalyst is best suited for one-time use scenarios.

Source: Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering

DOI: 10.1007/s11814-026-00724-0