Oxygen generator and method of controlling the oxygen production rate of an oxygen generator

A method for controlling the oxygen production rate of an oxygen generating composition, the method comprising:

• providing an oxygen source, providing an ionic liquid, and providing a metal oxide compound and/or a metal salt;
• generating oxygen by contacting the oxygen source, the ionic liquid and the metal oxide compound and/or the metal salt;
• and
• modifying the oxygen production rate by selectively adding an acidic compound and/or a basic compound to the oxygen source, the ionic liquid, and the metal oxide compound and/or the metal salt;
• or,
• if the ionic liquid is an acidic compound or contains an acidic compound:
• providing an oxygen source, providing the ionic liquid, providing a metal oxide compound and/or a metal salt, and providing a basic compound;
• generating oxygen by contacting the oxygen source, the ionic liquid, the metal oxide compound and/or the metal salt and the basic compound and, optionally, modifying the oxygen production rate by adding a further acidic compound and/or a further basic compound to the oxygen source, the ionic liquid, the metal oxide compound and/or the metal salt, and the basic compound;
• wherein
• the oxygen source comprises a peroxide compound;
• the ionic liquid is in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C.;
• the metal oxide compound is an oxide of a single metal or of two or more different metals selected from the metals of groups 2 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements;
• and
• the metal salt has a single metal or two or more different metals, and one or both of an organic anion and/or an inorganic anion.

An oxygen generator, comprising:

• an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, and a metal oxide compound and/or a metal salt;
• said oxygen source, said ionic liquid, said metal oxide compound or metal salt, upon coming into contact with one another, forming a composition for generating oxygen;
• an acidic compound for selectively decreasing a rate of reaction of the composition for generating oxygen and a basic compound for selectively initiating or increasing the rate of reaction for generating oxygen;
• wherein:
• the oxygen source is a peroxide compound;
• the ionic liquid is in the liquid state in a temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C.;
• the metal oxide compound is an oxide of a single metal or of two or more different metals selected from the metals of groups 2 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements;
• and
• the metal salt includes a single metal or two or more different metals, and one or both of an organic anion and an inorganic anion.

An oxygen generator, comprising:

• an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, a metal oxide compound and/or a metal salt, and a basic compound, and, optionally, an acidic compound;
• the oxygen source, the ionic liquid, the metal oxide compound or metal salt, and the optional acidic compound, upon coming into contact with one another, forming a composition for generating oxygen;
• wherein:
• the ionic liquid is an acidic compound or contains an acidic compound;
• the oxygen source is a peroxide compound;
• the ionic liquid is in the liquid state in a temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C.;
• the metal oxide compound is an oxide of a single metal or of two or more different metals selected from the metals of groups 2 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements;
• and
• the metal salt includes a single metal or two or more different metals, and one or both of an organic anion and an inorganic anion.