Direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide over Au-Pd catalyst : the effect of co-solvent addition

Direct synthesis represents a green alternative, an environmentally benign process for the production of hydrogen peroxide. This is a three-phase reaction, a solid catalyst with gas reactants and a liquid phase, which collects hydrogen peroxide formed from the catalyst surface. The choice of solvent and/or addition of promoters has a significant effect on the reaction rates observed, as well as selectivity towards peroxide. In addition to non-toxic water, short chain alcohols are very attractive, due to good solubility of reacting gases. Here we report an extensive study on the influence of different groups of solvents on the direct synthesis reaction when either applied alone or as co-solvent under non-explosive and conventionally explosive reaction conditions