Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide on a two-component catalyst of the type CuO-ZnO

The decomposition was studied of hydrogen peroxide on a two-component CuO-ZnO catalyst over the whole concentration range of 0 - 100% of one component. It was found that a mutual charge interaction of both components of the catalyst takes place which is manifested by the non-monotonous character of the dependence on composition of the specific surface areas and specific catalytic activity of the samples. A model of elementary reactions was proposed to elucidate this dependence, based on the previously published principle of bivalent catalytic centers. Irradiation of samples by γ rays leads to small both negative and positive changes in catalytic activity (in dependence on composition), whereas irradiation by neutrons results in a slight decrease in the catalytic activity of the samples. These observed changes can be qualitatively interpreted in terms of the electron theory of catalysis. (author)