Supramolecular Gelation of Hydrogen Peroxide: Reconciling Safety and Reactivity

Abstract Hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) is a versatile green oxidant, but its industrial application is plagued by safety risks due to impurity‐induced exothermic decomposition and leakage. Conventional stabilizers compromise reactivity, creating a persistent safety‐reactivity paradox. Herein, this challenge is resolved through a supramolecular gelation strategy using a glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binary system, transforming aqueous H ₂ O ₂ into mechanically robust gels. The resulting gel exhibits exceptional mechanical strength (storage modulus >3600 Pa), thixotropy, and long‐term stability (>6 months), effectively eliminating leakage. Crucially, the gel matrix suppresses H ₂ O ₂ decomposition by up to 212‐fold in the presence of metal contaminants (e.g., Fe ³⁺ , Cu ²⁺ , MnO ₂ ) by slowing convective mixing and isolating impurities via a bubble barrier, thereby preventing thermal runaway. Remarkably, the shear‐thinning properties of the gel enable the release of H ₂ O ₂ with uncompromised reactivity, achieving efficient sulfoxidation and alcohol oxidation with yields comparable to those of liquid H ₂ O ₂ . This work establishes supramolecular gelation as a transformative platform for the safe utilization of H ₂ O ₂ in industrial processes without sacrificing oxidative efficiency.