Percarbonate-based generation of reactive oxygen species for eco-friendly cleaning applications
A water-soluble solid chemistry platform that uses sodium percarbonate (SPC) to generate controlled reactive oxygen species for oxidation and stain removal. Validated for degrading recalcitrant organic pollutants, with ongoing testing as an eco-friendly bleach alternative for fabric treatment across cotton, wool, and polyester.
Overview
This solution leverages sodium percarbonate (SPC), a safe, water-soluble, commercially available solid, as a precursor for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. By controlling the activation mode and SPC dilution, the type and quantity of ROS produced can be tuned for specific cleaning and oxidation tasks. The technology offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional bleach for fabric care and has already demonstrated effectiveness in oxidizing recalcitrant organic pollutants, including tetracycline and long-chain petroleum hydrocarbons. Its solid, easy-to-handle format makes it well suited for concentrated cleaning formulations and consumer or industrial product development.
Technical specifications
Core chemistry:
- Sodium percarbonate hydrolyzes to release hydrogen peroxide as an active oxygen source
- Activation of SPC generates superoxide and hydroxyl radicals under controlled conditions
- ROS type and yield are tunable through activation method and SPC concentration
Validated performance:
- Effective oxidation of recalcitrant organic pollutants such as tetracycline and long-chain petroleum hydrocarbons
- Prior research by Prof. Garcia-Segura (Arizona State University) and Prof. Apul (University of Maine) supports the advanced oxidation process expertise underlying the platform
Planned validation activities:
- Stain removal testing on tomato, black ink, oil, and blood across cotton, wool, and polyester fibers
- Evaluation of multiple SPC doses and activation methods
- ROS identification through specific scavenging tests and electron paramagnetic resonance
- Long-term stability assessment of concentrated formulas diluted from 1:3 to 1:10 over a four-week period
Technology readiness level
The chemistry is at an early-to-mid stage of development. SPC generation of reactive oxygen species has been demonstrated in laboratory settings for organic pollutant degradation. Current and planned work focuses on translating this capability into fabric cleaning applications, with stain removal benchmarking and long-term formulation stability tests underway. The technology is ready for collaborative development partnerships aimed at advancing formulation optimization, scale-up, and application-specific validation.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a comprehensive public research university with a multi-campus presence across the Phoenix metropolitan area and a scale that supports interdisciplinary, use-inspired discovery. Industry partners access co-located laboratories, a research and technology park, and innovation centers that house corporate teams with faculty to speed prototyping and validation. A formal alliance with a major hospital system and proximity to a fast-growing manufacturing corridor enable clinical translation and pilot-scale testbeds, while applied student engagements create dependable talent pipelines. Research is backed by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, and NASA. A dedicated technology transfer office supports IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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