| ITEM | INDUSTRY | APPLICATION DESCRIPTION |
| POLYMERIZATION | Plastics and rubber | Ammonium,Potassium and Sodium persulfates areused as initiators for emulsion polymerization reactionsin the preparation of acrylics,polyvinyl chlorides,polystyrenes,and neoprene.They are used as polymer-ization initiators in the manufacture of synthetic rubber(styrene butadiene and isoprene)for automobile andtruck tires.Persulfate initiation is used to prepare latex polymers for paints,coatings,and carpet backing. |
| Structural materials | Persulfates are used as initiators in polymeric concrete formulations. |
Inorganic chemicals
and minerals | Persulfates are also initiators for the polymeric coating of graphite filaments. |
| Soil stabilization | Ammonium persulfate is used as a curing agent in chemical grout systems used to stabilize soil near dams,tunnels,and buildings. |
| OXIDATION | Surface preparation | The oxidation power of persulfates is used to clean andmicroetch a variety of printed circuit board substrates.Persulfates are important oxidants in plating andcoating processes.They are also etchants for nickeltitanium,and zink alloys.Persulfates are used to clean and mill aluminum,brass,copper,and many other metal surfaces prior to platingor adhesive bonding.Persulfates are used to clean and activate carbon andcharcoal before and after their use as absorbents. |
| Cosmetics | The cosmetic industry has developed formulations whichuse persulfates to boost hair bleaching performance. |
| Organic synthesis | Persulfates are oxidizing agents in the preparation of aldehydes,ketones,carboxylic acids,quinones and a variety of other compounds.The pharmaceutical industry uses sodium persulfate as a reagent in the preparation of antibiotics. |
| OTHER APPLICATIONS | Adhesive | Persulfates are used in the preparation of adhesive films and metal bonding adhesives. |
| Gas and oil production | Persulfate can be used for gel formation and gel breaking under oil drilling to enhance oil recovery. |
| Ink,pigment and dispersants | Persulfates are used to graft substrates to polymers (for example,carbon black to sodium acrylate).Persulfates are used in the preparation of dispersants for ink jetting and toner formulations. |
| Mining | Persulfate can be used in nickel cobalt separationprocess. |
| Photography | Persulfates are used in many photographic applica-tions,including bleaching solutions,solution regenera-tion,equipment cleaning,and waste water treatment. |
| Pulp and paper | Persulfates are used in the sizing of paper,prepara-tion of binders and coatings,and production of special papers.An activated alkali metal persulfate effectively repulps neutral/alkaline wet-strength broke and decolorizes dyes and optical brightener |
| Textiles | Ammonium and Sodium persulfates are used in the desizing and bleaching of textiles and the develop-ment of dyestuffs. |
Swimming pools
and water treatment | Oxidative degradatin of noxious substances(haloge-nated hydrocarbons cyanides,sulphur compounds etc.);decontamination and deodorization(e.g.cool-
ing,washing closed circuit process water);decontami-nation without chlorine for swimming pool water. |
| Environmental | Persulfates are very strong oxidants,have excellentshelf life when stored properly,and are economical touse.These properties make persulfates suitable for a variety of environmental applications,such as soil remediation and wastewater/groundwater cleanup.Gas scrubber with oxidative degradation of harmful substances(e.g.elimination of Hg in sewage sludge incineration).Oxidative elimination of foul smelling/toxic gas compounds(e.g.CS₂,H₂S)from process air. |