Magnesium peroxide

Magnesium peroxide is a fine powder peroxide 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 with a hydrous fluid. Besides this it can be used in bleaching, disinfecting, and deodorizing.

In contact with water it decomposes by the reactions:

MgO₂+ 2 H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + H₂O₂

2 H₂O₂ → 2 H₂O + O₂

Applications

Magnesium peroxide being environmentally benign and its stable oxygen release are used widely in the cosmetic, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and environmental industries. It is used to reduce contaminant levels in groundwater. Magnesium peroxide is used in the bioremediation of contaminated soil and can improve the soil quality for plant growth and metabolism. It also used in the aquaculture industry for bioremediation.

Commercially, magnesium peroxide exists as a form of compound of magnesium peroxide and magnesium hydroxide.

One medical use is as a lower bowel stool hydrator, which has a similar softening effect on the stool as a laxative, but with a reduced purgative response. The slow release of oxygen in the lower bowel allows beneficial aerobic pro-biotic bacteria and yeasts to proliferate, whilst at the same time providing a poor environment for anaerobic...
Read More