Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Sodium percarbonate for neutralizing acids?

Conure - 27-12-2024 at 15:08

Is sodium percarbonate any different from Na2CO3 or NaHCO3 when it comes to neutralizing acids (HNO3, H2SO4) and their associative gases (NO2, SO2, SO3)?

Btw can it be used to neutralize sulfies? Al2S3, CaS, K2S etc.

Bedlasky - 27-12-2024 at 18:11

Quote: Originally posted by Conure  
Is sodium percarbonate any different from Na2CO3 or NaHCO3 when it comes to neutralizing acids (HNO3, H2SO4) and their associative gases (NO2, SO2, SO3)?

Btw can it be used to neutralize sulfies? Al2S3, CaS, K2S etc.


Yeah it's quite different. Sodium percarbonate is essentialy perhydrate of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3.1,5H2O2). So it release H2O2 in aqueous solution (and especially in acidic conditions). So SO2 will be oxidized to sulfate, NO2 to nitrate. Sulfide will be oxidized to sulfur or sulfate, depending on the conditions. Sulfate is formed in alkaline solutions ( pH > 9,2), neutral or acidic solution yields sulfur.

https://usptechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Sulfi...

Conure - 28-12-2024 at 14:32

Quote: Originally posted by Bedlasky  
Quote: Originally posted by Conure  
Is sodium percarbonate any different from Na2CO3 or NaHCO3 when it comes to neutralizing acids (HNO3, H2SO4) and their associative gases (NO2, SO2, SO3)?

Btw can it be used to neutralize sulfies? Al2S3, CaS, K2S etc.


Yeah it's quite different. Sodium percarbonate is essentialy perhydrate of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3.1,5H2O2). So it release H2O2 in aqueous solution (and especially in acidic conditions). So SO2 will be oxidized to sulfate, NO2 to nitrate. Sulfide will be oxidized to sulfur or sulfate, depending on the conditions. Sulfate is formed in alkaline solutions ( pH > 9,2), neutral or acidic solution yields sulfur.

https://usptechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Sulfi...

Sounds like Na percarbonate is an upgraded Na carbonate. Neutralizes acids and also gets rid of sulfites, nitrites and sulfides. I saw that biomus sells 5kg for 15.2€.

woelen - 29-12-2024 at 05:31

It is an oxidizer, added to the effect of normal carbonate. The same effect can be obtained by dissolving sodium carbonate in ~10% hydrogen peroxide.

Conure - 11-2-2025 at 12:18

Would it be good for neutralizing hypochlorous acid? I'm thinking of making a NaClO3 cell in the future. Leading the Cl gas into a beaker of water, which will result in HCl and HClO.

[Edited on 11-2-2025 by Conure]

chempyre235 - 11-2-2025 at 12:57

Hypochlorite salts and peroxide combine to form water, a chloride salt, and oxygen gas. I tried it with 2% peroxide solution and bleach before. I think the addition of sodium percarbonate with HClO would produce NaCl, O2, CO2, and water. It may reduce chlorite (ClO2)- and chlorate (ClO3)- back to chloride as well, but I don't know for sure.