What are the functions and uses of sodium hydroxide?

Sodium hydroxide is a colorless and transparent alkaline chemical, commonly known as caustic soda or caustic beverage. It has a strong corrosive and hygroscopic, commonly used in metallurgy, textile, fertilizer, pharmaceutical, bleach and other industries.

Effect of 1. Sodium Hydroxide

1. Removal of hydrogen sulfide

Sodium hydroxide can convert hydrogen sulfide into sodium sulfate or potassium sulfate for the purpose of deodorization. Some places can be used for sewage treatment, can also be used for waste gas treatment.

2. Adjust acidity

Sodium hydroxide is an alkaline substance that can neutralize acidic substances and adjust acidity. In chemical experiments, sodium hydroxide can be used to standardize the acid solution and also to adjust the pH of the reaction solution.

3. Preparation of cellulose

Cellulose is a common biopolymer, which can be used to prepare paper, pulp, membrane materials, cellulose esters, etc. Sodium hydroxide can be used to hydrolyze cellulose and plays an important role in the preparation of cellulose.

4. Increase the potassium content in fertilizer

Sodium hydroxide can react with potassium salt to generate potassium hydroxide, and the potassium content in the fertilizer can be increased when the solution contains potassium salt, so that the plant can make better use of the nutrients in the fertilizer.

5. Preparation of soap

Sodium hydroxide and fatty acid reaction can produce soap, which is one of the important raw materials for soap preparation. Soaps prepared using sodium hydroxide are of good quality and have good cleansing and skin moisturizing effects.

Use of 2. sodium hydroxide

1. Textile Printing and Dyeing

The textile printing and dyeing industry is one of the important consumption industries of sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide can be used to remove impurities in fabrics, adjust the pH of dyes and strengthen the softening treatment of fibers.

2. Food processing

Sodium hydroxide is also a common substance in the food processing industry. In the production of instant noodles, candy and chocolate and other foods, sodium hydroxide can be used as an alkaline regulator to adjust the pH of the food.

3. Pharmaceutical industry

Sodium hydroxide is used in chemical reactions and drug synthesis processes in the pharmaceutical industry. For example, some pharmaceutical preparations need to produce organic compounds under acidic conditions, and sodium hydroxide can be used for neutralization after the reaction to keep the pharmaceutical preparations stable.

4. Mineral extraction

Sodium hydroxide is also widely used in metal smelting processes. For example, the iron oxide can be reduced to obtain iron powder with sodium hydroxide aqueous solution, and the oxides of some metals can also be removed to achieve the purpose of extracting metals.