| Chemical Properties | Magnesium peroxide is a white, odorless
crystalline solid. |
| Physical properties | Magnesium peroxide is a fine powder with a white to
off-white color. It is similar to calcium peroxide because
magnesium peroxide also releases oxygen by breaking
down at a controlled rate when in contact with a hydrous
fluid. It is used in bleaching, disinfecting, and deodorizing.
In contact with water, it decomposes by the
reactions:
MgO2＋ 2H2O0Mg(OH)2＋H2O2
2H2O202H2O＋ O2 |
| Uses | Magnesium peroxide is used for enhanced aerobic
bioremediation.Because of its stable
oxygen release rate and environmentally benign character,
magnesium peroxide is widely used in agricultural,
environmental, pharmaceutical and cosmetic
industries. Magnesium peroxide is primarily used as
the main oxygen source for in situ bioremediation. It
was the first inorganic peroxide to be used for this
purpose.
The addition of oxygen releasing
compounds to groundwater can be an effective treatment
technology capable of reducing the levels of
contaminants in groundwater. Magnesium peroxide is
applied to aid in the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons
and other similar contaminants found in groundwater.
Magnesium peroxide is very effective for the
bioremediation of contaminated soils and improvement
of soil quality for plant growth and metabolism.
Magnesium peroxide has also been used to “dehair”
cattle hides prior to conversion to “cowhide” leather.
Additionally, magnesium peroxide has been developed into a form suitable for use as an antibacterial agent for cotton and cotton-blend fabrics. Development of environmentally benign antibacterial agents for application to textiles and other materials is necessary and desirable because many of the older, effective antibacterial agents have been or are in the process of being removed from commercial use. |
| Definition | A whitesolid, MgO2. It decomposes at 100°Cto release oxygen and also releasesoxygen on reaction with water:
2MgO2(s) + 2H2O → 2Mg(OH)2 + O2
The compound is prepared by reactingsodium peroxide with magnesiumsulphate solution and is used asa bleach for cotton and silk. |
| Potential Exposure | Magnesium peroxide is used as a
bleaching and oxidizing agent, and in the manufacture of
antacids and antiinfective drugs. |
| Shipping | UN1476 Magnesium peroxide, Hazard Class:
5.1; Labels: 5.1-Oxidizer. |
| Incompatibilities | Powerful oxidizer. Dangerous fire risk
with flammable and combustible materials. Violent reaction
with acids. Keep away from moisture; causes the release of
oxygen and heat. |