Ammonium persulfate
Ammonium Persulfate for Agriculture and Fertilizer Production
Basic Properties
- Standard name: Ammonium persulfate
- Synonyms: Ammonium peroxydisulfate, Ammonium persulphate
- Chemical formula: (NH₄)₂S₂O₈
- Molar mass: 228.201–228.231 g/mol (variations due to measurement conditions)
- CAS Registry Number: [7727-54-0]
Physical Properties
- Appearance: White crystalline powder or granules;
- Melting point: 120°C (decomposes, releasing oxygen and ammonium bisulfate);
- Density: 1.98 g/cm³;
- Solubility:
- Highly soluble in water;
- Insoluble in ethanol;
- Stability: Stable under dry conditions, decomposes in humid environments.
Chemical Properties
- Oxidative nature: Strong oxidizing agent due to the peroxydisulfate ion (S₂O₈²⁻);
- Hydrolysis: Forms acidic solutions (pH 2–3) by generating sulfate and hydrogen sulfate ions;
- Decomposition:
- In acidic conditions: Releases hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid;
- In alkaline conditions: Releases hydrogen peroxide and hydroxide ions.
Major Applications
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Industrial & Chemical Synthesis:
- Polymerization initiator for vinyl acetate, acrylates, and styrene-based monomers;
- Etching agent for printed circuit boards and metal surfaces;
- Oxidizing agent in organic reactions and bleach formulations
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Material Science:
- Curing agent for urea-formaldehyde resins
- Electrolyte additive in battery systems
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Other Uses:
- Soil conditioner in agriculture
- Disinfectant in water treatment
- Depolarizer in batteries
Safety & Storage
- Hazards: Corrosive, causes skin/eye irritation; releases toxic gases (e.g., sulfur oxides) upon decomposition
- Storage: Keep in airtight containers, away from moisture and heat sources
Technological Breakthroughs and Sustainable Development
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Green electrolysis process: Adopts ion membrane electrolysis technology, reducing energy consumption by 30% while increasing product purity to 99.9%;
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Crystal morphology control: Obtains spherical crystals with better flowability through crystallization process optimization, improving usage performance;
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Composite activation systems: Develops multiple activation methods including thermal and UV activation to enhance oxidation efficiency;
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Safety performance improvement: Enhances product stability through surface treatment technology, reducing storage and transportation risks.