Sodium sulfate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula **Na₂SO₄**, composed of two sodium ions (Na⁺) and one sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻). Here's a detailed overview:
### **Key Properties**
- Physical State: Typically a white crystalline solid.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water, with solubility increasing with temperature.
- Forms:
- Anhydrous Na₂SO₄: Water-free, hygroscopic (absorbs moisture).
- Decahydrate (Na₂SO₄·10H₂O): Known as Glauber's salt, stable at lower temperatures, used historically in medicine.
Production
- Primary Methods:
- Reaction of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) with sodium chloride (NaCl).
- Byproduct of industrial processes (e.g., hydrochloric acid production, rayon manufacturing).
Common Uses
1. Detergents and Cleaning Agents: Acts as a filler or viscosity modifier.
2. Glass Manufacturing: Lowers melting temperature of silica.
3. Textiles: Helps in dyeing processes by standardizing ionic concentrations.
4. Laboratory Use: Drying agent (anhydrous form) or reagent.
5. Thermal Storage: Decahydrate form stores/releases heat during phase changes.
Safety and Environment
- Health: Generally low toxicity but may irritate eyes/skin in powder form.
- Environment: High concentrations in water can be ecologically disruptive (salinity increase), but not classified as highly hazardous.
Miscellaneous
- Historical Note: Glauber's salt was once used as a laxative.
- Regional Spelling: "Sulphate" (British) vs. "sulfate" (American); chemically identical.
This versatile compound plays a significant role in both industrial and laboratory settings due to its stability and solubility.
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