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Supramolecular Gelation of Hydrogen Peroxide: Reconciling Safety and Reactivity
Andong Song1,2, Chenhuan Yuan2, Yuqian Jiang2
1Department Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
Abstract:
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a versatile green oxidant, but its industrial application is plagued by safety risks due to impurity-induced exothermic decomposition and leakage. Conventional stabilizers compromise reactivity, creating a persistent safety-reactivity paradox. Herein, this challenge is resolved through a supramolecular gelation strategy using a glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binary system, transforming aqueous H2O2 into mechanically robust gels. The resulting gel exhibits exceptional mechanical strength (storage modulus >3600 Pa), thixotropy, and long-term stability (>6 months), effectively eliminating leakage. Crucially, the gel matrix suppresses H2O2 decomposition by up to 212-fold in the presence of metal contaminants (e.g., Fe3+, Cu2+, MnO2) by slowing convective mixing and isolating impurities via a bubble barrier, thereby preventing thermal runaway. Remarkably, the shear-thinning properties of the gel enable the release of H2O2 with uncompromised reactivity, achieving efficient sulfoxidation and alcohol oxidation with yields comparable to those of liquid H2O2. This work establishes supramolecular gelation as a transformative platform for the safe utilization of H2O2 in industrial processes without sacrificing oxidative efficiency.
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