Electrochemical H₂O₂ Production Modelling for an Electrochemical Bandage

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is an environmentally friendly oxidizing agent used to treat wound infections. We have developed an electrochemical bandage (e-bandage), which generates H 2 O 2 in situ and shown that it exhibites in vitro and in vivo efficacy. The electrochemical bandage comprises carbon fabric working and counter electrodes, as well as an Ag/AgCl quasi-reference electrode, separated by cotton fabric and the electrolyte is delivered by Xanthan gum with phosphate buffer saline. While the chemistry and electrochemistry of the e-bandage have been experimentally characterized, the system level description could aid in better designing these devices. Here, a model called electrochemical hydrogen peroxide production (EHPP) was used to evaluate factors influencing electrochemical generation of H 2 O 2 , including electrode potential, diffusion and reaction rates, temperature, and various geometries. EHPP model parameters estimated based on experimental results indicate that: (i) with diffusion limitations caused by changes in physical conditions (e.g., drying of hydrogel), the rate of H 2 O 2 generation decreases, (ii) higher working electrode overpotentials increase H 2 O 2 generation and higher counter electrode overpotentials do not affect H 2 O 2 generation, (iii) increasing the distance between electrodes by adding more hydrogel reduces H 2 O 2 generation, (iv) net H 2 O 2 generation decreases ∼12% with temperature, and (v) H 2 O 2 production is most effective in the initial 48 h of operation.