OREANDA-NEWS. Scientists have discovered that hydrogen peroxide H2O2 can spontaneously form on the surface of small water droplets, which contradicts the popular belief about the stability and chemical inertness of water.  The discovery may become the basis for new methods of chemical synthesis, methods of cleaning and processing food, the authors write in an article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

 Researchers specifically noted that in order to undergo this reaction, water does not require exposure to any catalysts, electricity or other chemical reagents.

 Spontaneous formation of hydrogen peroxide occurred at a time when water was sprayed into microdrops.  Thus, the researchers concluded that spontaneous formation of hydrogen peroxide in the absence of other substances occurs only when each microdroplet of water is incredibly small.