what is an effective method to release oxygen from water

Guest

I am looking for a simple inexpensive method to release oxygen from
water and was hoping that someone would be able to help me understand
how this process works.
So the problem that I have is that I want to add 'something' (a solid
block of some compound) into a water and I want the block to effervesce
oxygen with out creating a toxic substance.

This seems like a basic chemistry experiment, is it? If so, what is the
experiment?

Thanks for the thoughts!!

muha · science forum Guru Wannabe Joined: 08 May 2005 Posts: 167

KO2 is the substance. Please note that in this case you are not actualy
producing oxygen from water but from disproportionation of the
hyperoxide anion-radical.

Guest

Thanks!

If you do not mind, I would like to pose a few follow-up questions:

- Is this potassium superoxide?
http://www.basf.com/inorganics/pdfs/tech_datasheet/KO2.pdf

muha · science forum Guru Wannabe Joined: 08 May 2005 Posts: 167

superoxide, sorry for typo. 4KO2 + 2H2O -> 4KOH + 3O2.

I don't think that it is overly dangerous material, apart from being a
corrosive agent and oxidizer - but I never worked with the stuff. It is
used in re-breather apparates. Also, I have seen it in organic
synthesis where it behaves more like a base than oxidizer.

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