Which catalyst is used for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide?

The correct answer is manganese (IV) oxide, which serves as a catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. In this reaction, manganese (IV) oxide facilitates the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) into water (H₂O) and oxygen gas (O₂) without being consumed in the process. The presence of the catalyst lowers the activation energy required for the reaction, thereby increasing the reaction rate without altering the equilibrium of the reaction.

Manganese (IV) oxide does so by providing an alternative reaction pathway. During the decomposition, it interacts with hydrogen peroxide to form intermediate compounds that subsequently yield water and oxygen as products, allowing the reaction to proceed more efficiently.

The roles of the other substances listed differ significantly from that of manganese (IV) oxide. For example, potassium chlorate is often used as a source of oxygen or in oxidation reactions but does not effectively catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Sodium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide are alkaline and can impact the pH of solutions but do not function as catalysts in the decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, manganese (IV) oxide is specifically recognized for its catalytic properties in this context.