Analytical methods for peroxo acids – a review

Abstract

Peroxo acids, especially short chain organic acids, have gained increased importance in recent times: in industry e.g. pulp bleaching, as disinfectants, and also because of health concern in workspaces and in the surrounding environment. This calls for analytical methods for assaying and monitoring these peroxo compounds, both in the gaseous phase and in solutions. Due to equilibrium issues and the reactive nature of many peroxo acids, precise and reproducible measurement is not a trivial task. This paper presents an overview of analytical methods for determining organic peroxo acids. The review covers analytical methods broadly, from classical titrations to modern instrumental methods such as HPLC and mass spectroscopy. Besides a description of the methods, this work will also compare the strengths and weaknesses of the analytical methods. It will focus mainly on peroxoacetic acid (PAA) but where relevant also mention other acids and the concurrent analysis of hydrogen peroxide (HP). This paper will be a valuable tool for future researchers when selecting a useful method for determining peracid.