potassium carbonate 99.9%

Potassium carbonate (chemical formula: K₂CO₃) is an important inorganic compound, belonging to the strong base weak acid salt, with a wide range of industrial, agricultural and laboratory applications. 

1. Physical and chemical properties
Appearance: white crystalline powder or granules, odorless, hygroscopic, easily soluble in water (solubility of about 112g/100mL at 20℃), the aqueous solution is strongly alkaline (pH about 11-12
Chemical properties:
Stability: It easily absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide in the air to generate potassium bicarbonate (K₂CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O → 2KHCO₃), so it needs to be sealed and stored;
Reaction with acid: releases carbon dioxide (such as reaction with hydrochloric acid: K₂CO₃ + 2HCl → 2KCl + CO₂↑ + H₂O);
Stable at high temperatures, can be used for high temperature reactions (such as as a flux in a molten state)

2. Main application areas

1. Industrial field
Glass manufacturing: It is the key raw material for flat glass, optical glass, and special glass (such as cathode ray tube glass). Its function is to reduce the melting temperature of glass, improve the transparency and chemical stability of glass.
Ceramics and enamel: As a flux and glaze component, it helps the ceramic body and glaze to fuse, improve the glaze gloss and corrosion resistance.
Detergents and soaps: Using its strong alkalinity and decontamination ability, it is used in industrial detergent formulations, or as a filler and pH regulator for soap (replacing part of sodium hydroxide to reduce skin irritation).
Textile printing and dyeing:
It is used for scouring and mercerizing of cotton fabrics to remove impurities and enhance the adsorption of fabrics to dyes;
As a fixing agent for active dyes to improve color fastness.
Metal processing: It is used for pH adjustment of electroplating solution, or as a metal surface treatment agent to remove oil and rust.

2. Food industry
Food additives: numbered E501, main functions include:
Acidity regulator: neutralizes acidic components in food (such as adjusting pH in pasta products to improve taste);
Leaving agent: reacts with acidic substances (such as tartaric acid) to produce carbon dioxide, making cakes, biscuits, etc. fluffy (similar to baking soda, but more alkaline);
Preservative: in some beverages or jams, inhibits microbial growth by adjusting pH;
Noodle improver: increases the elasticity and toughness of noodles and reduces broken noodles.
Note: Food-grade potassium carbonate must meet strict purity standards to avoid excessive heavy metals (such as lead, arsenic) and impurities, and excessive intake may affect the body's electrolyte balance.

3. Agricultural field
Source of potash fertilizer: as a water-soluble potash fertilizer, it can supplement potassium in the soil and promote crop growth (especially suitable for economic crops such as fruit trees and vegetables), but due to its strong alkalinity, it should be avoided from excessive use in acidic soil (which may cause the soil pH to be too high).
It can also be used to adjust soil pH (increase pH and improve acidic soil).