H2O2
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Chemistry
| Stands for | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
H2O2 stands for Hydrogen peroxide, a chemistry abbreviation.
Pale blue liquid in pure form, sold in brown bottles as a 3% solution for cleaning cuts and disinfecting surfaces, and at higher strengths for hair bleaching, pulp and textile bleaching, and rocket propellant. It decomposes into water and oxygen, especially with light, heat or catalysts such as the enzyme catalase.
Example: Mix one part 3% H2O2 with one part water to rinse the cutting board.
Usage notes
The fizzing seen when peroxide touches a cut is catalase in blood and tissue breaking it down; doctors now discourage routine use on wounds because it can harm healing tissue. Concentrations above about 30% are corrosive and can ignite organic materials. Louis Jacques Thénard first prepared hydrogen peroxide in 1818.
Related abbreviations
More chemistry abbreviations
- EVA – Ethylene-vinyl acetate
- FTIR – Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy
- GC – Gas chromatography
- GC-MS – Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
- GHS – Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of…
- H2O – Water
- H2SO4 – Sulfuric acid
- HCFC – Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
- HCl – Hydrochloric acid
- HDPE – High-density polyethylene
- HFC – Hydrofluorocarbon
- HOMO – Highest occupied molecular orbital