The influence of seven commercial activated carbons (ACs) to promote hydrogen peroxide decomposition and radical generation is assessed during four operating cycles. The amount of generated hydroxyl radicals is estimated from quenching experiments using methanol as a radical scavenger. The change in chemical surface composition of ACs upon contact with hydrogen peroxide after each operating cycle is measured by Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and by following the change in the value of the pH of the point of zero charge (pHpzc). Results reveal that when ACs are exposed to hydrogen peroxide for extended periods, their chemical surface composition is modified, reducing the capacity of these materials to promote hydrogen peroxide decomposition, and in turn decreasing the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, DRIFTS analyses show that ACs with an appreciable content of basic surface functionalities, such as chromene-type structures, would guarantee a continuous radical generation, reducing the loss of catalytic activity. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.