4 ideas to produce oxygen gas rapidly
Answers
Method 1 - Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition
Description
Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) will decompose rapidly in the presence of Manganese Dioxide, acting as the catalyst, to produce Oxygen gas and water.
When the Hydrogen Peroxide and Manganese Dioxide are mixed, Oxygen gas bubbles should be seen coming from the mixture. One can collect this Oxygen gas produced over water (through water-displacement) and store it inside a bottle for later use.
Materials
Hydrogen Peroxide
Manganese Dioxide / Manganese(IV) Oxide / MnO2
Reaction Vessel (see below)
Rubber Tubing
Bucket or Large Bowl
Collection Bottle (could be a simple plastic drinking bottle with lid)
Water
Above: Manganese Dioxide - Catalyst for the decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide
Set-up
For the purposes of this experiment the reaction vessel shown in the pictures below was constructed using a flat-bottom flask, addition funnel, Claisen adapter, and a 90° hose adapter. A far less sophisticated reaction vessel will still work if the above pieces of glassware are not available.
As the Oxygen production reaction starts, the gas flowing out of the reaction vessel will be mostly air (presuming the flask was initially filled with air). As the reaction proceeds, the concentration of Oxygen gas inside the flask will increase and the bubbles flowing out of the tube will approach 100% Oxygen (but there may always be small traces of air remaining). Also, since the Oxygen is being generated using a “wet” production method and is being collected “over water”, the gas collected inside the bottle will be “wet”, meaning that it will contain a small amount of water vapor. The amount of water vapor contained in the collected gas depends on the temperature (which, in turn, determines the vapor pressure of water). To minimize water vapor in the collected gas, one should use a cool collection bath. Additionally, one may pass the gas through a drying tube (filled with a deliquescent material such as Calcium Chloride) before use.
Method 2 - Reaction between Hydrogen Peroxide and Bleach
Description
This method of production is very similar in many respects to the first method. The difference between the two is the chemicals involved in the process. The reaction may be performed in an identical apparatus to the first method and, again, the Oxygen gas produced may be collected over water for later use.
Materials
Hydrogen Peroxide
Bleach (must contain Sodium Hypochlorite; Clorox bleach or equivalent will work)
Reaction Vessel
Rubber Tubing
Bucket or Large Bowl
Collection Bottle
Water