Rapid air and surface disinfection using dry hydrogen peroxide
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
We have formulated a catalyst capable of generating gas phase H2O2 (or dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP)) in significant concentrations (Akram et al. Chem. Sci., 2016, 7, 5833) using very dilute hydrogen concentrations of H2 in air at ambient temperature. Sub ppm levels of DHP are known to be highly effective in disinfecting airborne pathogens and two companies (Synexis and CASPR; https://synexis.com/; https://casprgroup.com/ ) have commercialised devices for disinfecting air with DHP procured and synthesised non-catalytically. We now propose an innovative catalytic approach.
Our innovations in liquid phase H2O2 synthesis (Europe 17728642.4; 14753141.2; 16704892.5; US 9340423) has proven enhanced disinfection is achieved when H2O2 is synthesised using a catalyst. Simultaneous to H2O2 production, highly reactive short-lived oxygen species are also formed, and results in improved pathogen kill by over a million-fold compared to commercial H2O2 alone. We consider that a similar enhancement will result from a catalytic approach to DHP formation.
We aim to utilise this discovery to design a novel catalysed route to DHP to disinfect air and surfaces in occupied spaces. We will use electricity to electrolyse water to produce low concentrations of hydrogen which is subsequently reacted with air over the gold-palladium catalyst producing gaseous DHP in such a way that all the hydrogen is totally consumed. The aim is to continually generate DHP at sub ppm levels (a maximum of 1ppm (1.4 mg H2O2 / cubic meter) of H2O2 averaged over a 8 hour period is allowed) and introduce this into flowing air that will disinfect both the air and surfaces. While the immediate focus is tackling the current Covid-19 pandemic the project aims to tackle the longer term and ongoing need for continuous air and surface disinfection for a range of pathogens
Our innovations in liquid phase H2O2 synthesis (Europe 17728642.4; 14753141.2; 16704892.5; US 9340423) has proven enhanced disinfection is achieved when H2O2 is synthesised using a catalyst. Simultaneous to H2O2 production, highly reactive short-lived oxygen species are also formed, and results in improved pathogen kill by over a million-fold compared to commercial H2O2 alone. We consider that a similar enhancement will result from a catalytic approach to DHP formation.
We aim to utilise this discovery to design a novel catalysed route to DHP to disinfect air and surfaces in occupied spaces. We will use electricity to electrolyse water to produce low concentrations of hydrogen which is subsequently reacted with air over the gold-palladium catalyst producing gaseous DHP in such a way that all the hydrogen is totally consumed. The aim is to continually generate DHP at sub ppm levels (a maximum of 1ppm (1.4 mg H2O2 / cubic meter) of H2O2 averaged over a 8 hour period is allowed) and introduce this into flowing air that will disinfect both the air and surfaces. While the immediate focus is tackling the current Covid-19 pandemic the project aims to tackle the longer term and ongoing need for continuous air and surface disinfection for a range of pathogens
| Description | We have successfully constructed a reactor that shows gas phase hydrogen peroxide can be made at ambient temperature. We are now exploring the pathogenic activity of this gas phase oxidant. |
| Exploitation Route | We are collaborating with a US company that will scale up teh devise and hopefully commercialise the device |
| Sectors | Healthcare |