Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent used in aqueous solution as a ripening agent, bleach, and topical anti-infective. It is relatively unstable and solutions deteriorate over time unless stabilized by the addition of acetanilide or similar organic materials.

Chemical Synthesis:

Aseptic Packaging:

Cosmetics & Medicine:

Electronics Industry:

In this field, it finds its use as an oxidizing and a cleaning agent. The production process of printed circuits boards uses hydrogen peroxide as an etchant. The manufacturing process of semiconductors uses high-quality electronic grade hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing and cleaning agent.

Environment:

Hydrogen peroxide is environmentally and ecologically friendly; hence, it finds use in a variety of applications related to the environment e.g. in an advanced oxidation process (AOP). The AOP process uses hydroxyl radicals to decompose toxic substances. Technological processes also use hydrogen peroxide to reduce their negative environmental impact.

Food Processing:

In the food processing industry, hydrogen peroxide is the most commonly used bleaching agent where it finds its use as a peroxygen reagent. Natural oils, natural sugars, waxes, starch, and gums are some of the compounds bleached using peroxides.

Mining:

The mining industry uses hydrogen peroxide both as an oxygen source and as an oxidizing agent. For instance, it is used in gold and uranium production processes in concentrates preparation and ore leaching.

Pulp and Paper Industry:

In this industry, it is used as a versatile bleaching agent especially in chemical pulp bleaching sequences. In mechanical pulp bleaching, it is used as the core-bleaching agent. In paper recycling plants, it finds its application as a de-inking agent.

Textile Industry:

Hydrogen peroxide is the prime bleaching agent in natural and synthetic fibers treatment, which include wool, linen, cotton, silk, and rayon. It gives the fibers a high degree of brightness while at the same time preserving their mechanical properties.

Transportation Industry:

Highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide finds its use as a propellant in the transportation industry. For instance, hypergolic bipropellant engines, which are used in monopropellant systems and launch vehicles, use high concentration hydrogen peroxide.