A device for generating oxygen comprising at least one reaction chamber for housing a composition for generating oxygen, the composition comprising a combination of constituents consisting of at least one oxygen source, at least one ionic liquid, and at least one metal oxide compound, means for maintaining at least one of the oxygen source, the ionic liquid and the metal oxide compound physically separated from the remaining constituents, means for establishing physical contact of the oxygen source, the ionic liquid and the metal oxide compound, and means for allowing oxygen to exit the reaction chamber, wherein the metal oxide compound is an oxide of a single metal or of two or more different metals, said metal(s) being selected from the metals of groups 2 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements, and wherein the oxygen source comprises a peroxide compound.