Himanshu Mishra
(King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia)
 

Abstract:
Recent reports claim that water microdroplets spontaneously generate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at the air–water interface, without external energy or catalysts1. If true, this challenges established water chemistry. Proposed mechanisms include ultrahigh interfacial electric fields, water comproportionation, and partial ion dehydration. Our seven-year investigation reveals instead that H2O2 arises from reduction of dissolved O2 at water–solid interfaces – no O2, no H2O2 (Refs.2-4). I will present four diagnostic criteria – energy balance, mass balance, O2-dependence, and substrate specificity – to assess any mechanistic proposal. This framework reconciles H2O2 formation within established chemistry and extends to other claims of anomalous microdroplet reactivity.
 
References
 
1          https://doi.org:10.1021/jacs.2c02890
2          https://doi.org:10.1039/d3sc06534k
3          https://doi.org:10.1039/d4sc03217a
4          https://doi.org:10.1021/jacs.5c09028