Ammonium Persulfate: Introduction, Structure, Properties, Production, Uses

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:15 PM IST

Ammonium persulfate or APS is defined as an inorganic compound with the chemical formula that is .

Ammonium persulfate is a colourless salt and this is basically highly soluble in water and much more than potassium salt.

Ammonium persulfate is commonly known as a strong oxidizing agent because it is commonly used in polymer chemistry or as a cleaning and bleaching agent and as an etchant.

Introduction

Ammonium persulfate is also known as ammonium peroxydisulfate, diammonium persulfate, or diammonium peroxydisulfate.
Ammonium persulfate is prepared by using the method of electrolysis with a cold concentrated solution of either of these substances like ammonium sulfate or ammonium bisulfate because of the presence of sulfuric acid with a very high current density.
Ammonium persulfate is an inorganic compound and it is also known as Ammonium peroxydisulfate Diammonium persulfate or Diammonium peroxydisulfate and it also has a wide range of applications in polymer chemistry for example as a bleaching agent, cleaning, and an etchant, etc.
On the other hand, Diammonium peroxy disulfate is an odourless crystalline solid and it is white in colour. It is readily soluble in water and plays a strong oxidizing agent role.

This Story also Contains

Introduction
Properties Of Ammonium Persulfate
Production Of Ammonium Persulfate
Health Hazards Of Ammonium Persulfate
Uses of Ammonium persulfate

Ammonium Persulfate

Properties Of Ammonium Persulfate

Ammonium persulfate structure –
Chemical data of Ammonium persulfate -
The molecular weight of Ammonium persulfate is 228.18 g/mol
The density of Ammonium persulfate is 1.98 g/cm3
Flashpoint (FP) of Ammonium persulfate is Non-flammable
Melting Point (MP) of Ammonium persulfate is 120 °C

Production Of Ammonium Persulfate

Let us see how ammonium persulfate is prepared.

Ammonium persulfate can be derived by the method of electrolysis of ammonium sulfate and dilute sulfuric acid and then it is crystallized.

The electrolytic process of ammonium sulfate and sulfuric acid formulates is to form a liquid electrolyte that is decontaminated by the electrolysis process. H2SO4 can also discharge and can generate the peroxy disulfate acid in the anode which can react with ammonium sulfate to generate ammonium persulfate. Ammonium persulfate first goes through the processes of filtration then crystallization, and then centrifugal separation, and at last, drying to get the ammonium persulfate product when the content reaches a certain concentration in the anode.

Ammonium peroxydisulfate is obtained by the process of electrolysis with a cold concentrated solution of ammonium bisulfate or by ammonium sulfate in sulfuric acid (the chemical formula is H2SO4) at a high density.

The first method was described by Hugh Marshall.

Health Hazards Of Ammonium Persulfate

Inhaling Diammonium persulfate can cause mild toxic effects. Contact with dust irritates the eyes and causes skin rashes.
When this Ammonium peroxydisulfate compound is heated toxic oxides of sulfuric acid and nitrogen fumes can be liberated.
Ammonium peroxydisulfate is a non-combustible compound but can accelerate the combustion of other substances.
Ammonium peroxydisulfate also produces irritating toxic fumes in a fire which have high explosion risks when it comes to contact with reducing agents or combustible substances.

Uses of Ammonium persulfate

Ammonium persulfate compound is used in hydrogen peroxide bleaching as an additive.

Ammonium persulfate is also used in printed circuit boards.
Ammonium persulfate is used in olefin polymerization as an initiator.
Ammonium persulfate is used in photography.
It is used as an additive to preserve food.
Ammonium persulfate is used to wash infected yeast.
Ammonium persulfate is used to remove pyrogallol stains and used as a depolarizer in batteries.
Ammonium persulfate is used as a common ingredient in hair bleach.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do you store ammonium persulfate?

Fresh solutions of ammonium persulfate product can be prepared for the most effective use in electrophoresis and the solutions stored at room temperature are not stable even if they are protected from light or air.

Storage of solutions should be at 2-8 °C which will allow their use for up to 12 hours.

2. How to get 10% ammonium persulfate?

By dissolving 1 gm of ammonium persulphate in 10 mL of water we can get 10% of ammonium persulphate.

3. Is ammonium persulfate toxic?

Yes, ammonium persulfate is toxic because Inhaling ammonium persulfates can cause mild toxic effects and contact with dust can irritate the eyes and cause skin rashes. Higher exposure causes a build-up of fluid in the lungs in pulmonary edema , and needs a medical emergency.

4. Write the chemical formula of Ammonium persulfate.

The chemical formula of Ammonium persulfate is .

5. What classification is ammonium persulfate?

Ammonium persulfate is classified as Oxidizing solid which comes under Hazard class (Category 3).

6. What safety precautions should be taken when handling ammonium persulfate?

When handling ammonium persulfate, one should wear protective gear including gloves, safety goggles, and a dust mask. It should be kept away from combustible materials and heat sources. In case of skin contact, rinse immediately with water. Proper ventilation is necessary when working with this compound due to potential dust inhalation risks.

7. How does ammonium persulfate interact with reducing agents?

Ammonium persulfate reacts vigorously with reducing agents. It oxidizes the reducing agent while being reduced to sulfate. This reaction can be quite exothermic and, in some cases, potentially explosive. Understanding these interactions is crucial for safe handling and effective use in chemical processes.

8. How does ammonium persulfate compare to other bleaching agents in the textile industry?

Ammonium persulfate is a strong oxidizing bleach used in the textile industry. Compared to chlorine-based bleaches, it's less damaging to fibers and doesn't produce harmful chlorinated byproducts. However, it's more expensive and less stable than some alternatives. Its effectiveness and environmental profile make it a preferred choice for certain applications.

9. What happens when ammonium persulfate decomposes, and why is this important?

When ammonium persulfate decomposes, it produces oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, and sulfur oxides. This decomposition is important because it's the basis for its use as an oxidizing agent and initiator. The release of oxygen can drive oxidation reactions, while the formation of radicals can initiate polymerization.

10. How does ammonium persulfate affect proteins, and why is this important in biochemistry?

Ammonium persulfate can denature proteins by oxidizing sulfhydryl groups and cleaving disulfide bonds. This property is utilized in biochemistry for protein analysis techniques like SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), where it serves as a polymerization initiator for the acrylamide gel and helps denature proteins for analysis.

11. What is ammonium persulfate and why is it considered a persulfate compound?

Ammonium persulfate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula (NH4)2S2O8. It's considered a persulfate compound because it contains the persulfate ion (S2O8^2-), which is characterized by two sulfur atoms linked by a peroxide bridge (O-O).

12. What are the primary differences between ammonium persulfate and sodium persulfate in terms of their chemical behavior?

While both are persulfates, ammonium persulfate and sodium persulfate differ in several ways:

13. What is the difference between ammonium persulfate and potassium persulfate in terms of their applications?

While both are strong oxidizing agents, ammonium persulfate is more soluble in water and decomposes at a lower temperature compared to potassium persulfate. Ammonium persulfate is often preferred in applications where higher solubility or lower decomposition temperature is advantageous, such as in certain polymerization reactions or hair bleaching formulations.

14. What is the significance of ammonium persulfate's redox potential?

The high redox potential of ammonium persulfate (E° = 2.01 V) makes it a powerful oxidizing agent. This property is key to its effectiveness in bleaching, etching, and initiating polymerization reactions. The redox potential also explains why it can oxidize many substances that resist oxidation by weaker oxidants.

15. How does ammonium persulfate compare to other peroxygen compounds in terms of oxygen release?

Ammonium persulfate releases oxygen more slowly

16. How is ammonium persulfate produced industrially?

Ammonium persulfate is typically produced by electrolysis of a concentrated solution of ammonium sulfate. During this process, persulfate ions are formed at the anode, while hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode. The resulting ammonium persulfate is then crystallized from the solution.

17. How does the concentration of ammonium persulfate affect its reaction rate?

The reaction rate of ammonium persulfate generally increases with concentration. Higher concentrations provide more persulfate ions available for reaction, leading to faster oxidation or initiation processes. However, very high concentrations can lead to rapid decomposition, potentially causing safety issues in some applications.

18. How does the crystal structure of ammonium persulfate influence its properties?

Ammonium persulfate crystallizes in a monoclinic system. This crystal structure allows for efficient packing of the ions, contributing to its stability as a solid. The arrangement of ions in the crystal also influences its solubility and its behavior when it dissolves in water.

19. How does the presence of transition metal ions affect the reactivity of ammonium persulfate?

Transition metal ions can catalyze the decomposition of ammonium persulfate, enhancing its oxidizing power. Metals like iron or copper can significantly increase the rate of persulfate decomposition, leading to faster generation of sulfate radicals. This catalytic effect is important in some industrial and environmental applications.

20. What is the mechanism by which ammonium persulfate initiates polymerization reactions?

Ammonium persulfate initiates polymerization by thermal decomposition into sulfate radicals (SO4•-). These radicals then react with monomers, creating monomer radicals that propagate the chain reaction. The initiation step can be represented as:

21. How does the structure of ammonium persulfate contribute to its properties?

The structure of ammonium persulfate consists of two ammonium ions (NH4+) and one persulfate ion (S2O8^2-). The persulfate ion's peroxide bridge makes it a strong oxidizing agent, while the ammonium ions contribute to its solubility in water.

22. Why is ammonium persulfate a stronger oxidizing agent than hydrogen peroxide?

Ammonium persulfate is a stronger oxidizing agent than hydrogen peroxide because the S-O bonds in the persulfate ion are weaker than the O-O bond in hydrogen peroxide. This makes it easier for the persulfate ion to release oxygen, enhancing its oxidizing power.

23. How does the solubility of ammonium persulfate in water compare to other persulfates?

Ammonium persulfate is highly soluble in water, more so than other common persulfates like potassium or sodium persulfate. This high solubility is due to the presence of ammonium ions, which interact strongly with water molecules. This property makes it particularly useful in aqueous applications.

24. How does temperature affect the stability of ammonium persulfate?

Ammonium persulfate is relatively stable at room temperature, but its stability decreases with increasing temperature. At higher temperatures, it decomposes more rapidly, releasing oxygen and forming ammonium sulfate. This property is important for its use as an initiator in polymerization reactions.

25. What is the significance of ammonium persulfate being hygroscopic?

Ammonium persulfate's hygroscopic nature means it readily absorbs moisture from the air. This property is significant because it affects storage conditions and handling procedures. Exposure to moisture can lead to decomposition and loss of its oxidizing properties, so it must be stored in airtight containers in a dry environment.

26. What role does ammonium persulfate play in polymer chemistry?

In polymer chemistry, ammonium persulfate serves as a radical initiator. When dissolved in water, it decomposes to form sulfate radicals, which can initiate the polymerization of various monomers. This makes it crucial in the production of many polymers, particularly in emulsion polymerization processes.

27. How does ammonium persulfate act as an etchant in printed circuit board manufacturing?

Ammonium persulfate acts as an etchant by oxidizing copper on printed circuit boards. The persulfate ions oxidize copper metal to copper ions, which dissolve in the solution. This process selectively removes unwanted copper, leaving behind the desired circuit pattern.

28. Why is ammonium persulfate preferred over other oxidizing agents in some applications?

Ammonium persulfate is often preferred because it's a strong oxidizing agent that doesn't introduce metal ions into the reaction mixture. It decomposes into gaseous products and ammonium sulfate, which can be easily removed. This makes it ideal for applications where metal contamination must be avoided.

29. How does the pH of a solution affect the oxidizing power of ammonium persulfate?

The oxidizing power of ammonium persulfate is generally higher in acidic solutions. In alkaline conditions, it tends to decompose more rapidly without oxidizing the target substances. This pH dependence is important to consider when using ammonium persulfate in various applications.

30. What is the environmental impact of ammonium persulfate use and disposal?

Ammonium persulfate can have negative environmental impacts if not properly handled. It can cause oxidative stress in aquatic organisms and alter water chemistry. Proper disposal involves reducing it to sulfate before release. In industrial settings, efforts are made to minimize its release and to treat waste streams containing persulfates.

31. What is the role of ammonium persulfate in analytical chemistry?

In analytical chemistry, ammonium persulfate is used as an oxidizing agent in various procedures. It's particularly useful in the digestion of organic matter in environmental samples, the oxidation of certain compounds for quantitative analysis, and as a cleaning agent for glassware to remove organic residues.

32. What is the role of ammonium persulfate in soil science?

In soil science, ammonium persulfate is used to oxidize organic matter in soil samples. This process is important for analyzing soil composition, particularly when measuring total organic carbon or nitrogen content. It's also used in some soil remediation techniques to oxidize certain organic pollutants.

33. Why is ammonium persulfate used in hair bleaching, and how does it work?

Ammonium persulfate is used in hair bleaching as an oxidizing booster. It works synergistically with hydrogen peroxide to break down melanin, the natural pigment in hair. The persulfate ions enhance the oxidation process, allowing for faster and more effective bleaching. Its ability to lighten hair without introducing metallic ions makes it preferable to some other bleaching agents.

34. How does ammonium persulfate contribute to the removal of organic contaminants in wastewater treatment?

In wastewater treatment, ammonium persulfate acts as a powerful oxidant that can break down complex organic contaminants. When activated (often by heat, UV light, or transition metals), it generates sulfate radicals that can oxidize a wide range of organic pollutants, including those resistant to conventional treatment methods. This advanced oxidation process is effective for treating pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other persistent organic pollutants.

35. How does the presence of ammonium persulfate affect the conductivity of a solution?

Ammonium persulfate increases the conductivity of a solution due to its ionic nature. When dissolved, it dissociates into ammonium (NH4+) and persulfate (S2O8^2-) ions, both of which contribute to the solution's overall conductivity. This property is important in applications where solution conductivity is a factor, such as in certain electrochemical processes.

36. Why is ammonium persulfate sometimes used in combination with TEMED (tetramethylethylenediamine) in gel electrophoresis?

In gel electrophoresis, particularly for polyacrylamide gels, ammonium persulfate is used with TEMED as a redox pair. APS provides free radicals through decomposition, while TEMED acts as a catalyst, accelerating the formation of free radicals from APS. This combination allows for rapid and controlled polymerization of acrylamide at room temperature, which is crucial for creating gels with consistent pore sizes.

37. How does the molecular mass of ammonium persulfate compare to other common oxidizing agents, and why is this significant?

Ammonium persulfate has a molecular mass of 228.2 g/mol, which is higher than many common oxidizing agents like hydrogen peroxide (34.0 g/mol) or potassium permanganate (158.0 g/mol). This higher mass means that on a per-gram basis, it contains fewer oxidizing equivalents. However, its high solubility and stability often make it preferable in applications where a solid, stable oxidant is needed.

38. What role does ammonium persulfate play in the production of printed circuit boards?

In printed circuit board (PCB) production, ammonium persulfate serves as an etchant. It selectively removes copper from areas not protected by the resist pattern. The persulfate ions oxidize copper to soluble copper ions, effectively etching away the unwanted copper. This process is crucial for creating the intricate circuit patterns on PCBs.

39. How does the presence of organic compounds affect the stability of ammonium persulfate solutions?

Organic compounds can accelerate the decomposition of ammonium persulfate in solution. Some organic molecules can react with persulfate ions or the radicals formed during decomposition, leading to faster breakdown of the persulfate. This interaction is important to consider in applications where ammonium persulfate solutions are used in the presence of organic materials.

40. What is the significance of ammonium persulfate's ability to generate sulfate radicals?

The ability of ammonium persulfate to generate sulfate radicals (SO4•-) is crucial for its effectiveness in many applications. Sulfate radicals are powerful oxidants with a high redox potential, capable of degrading many organic compounds. This property makes ammonium persulfate useful in advanced oxidation processes for water treatment, soil remediation, and as an initiator in polymerization reactions.

41. How does the pH of a solution affect the decomposition rate of ammonium persulfate?

The decomposition rate of ammonium persulfate is pH-dependent. In acidic conditions, the decomposition is generally slower, while in alkaline conditions, it accelerates. This pH sensitivity is due to the different reaction pathways available at various pH levels. Understanding this relationship is crucial for optimizing the use of ammonium persulfate in different applications and controlling its reactivity.

42. How does ammonium persulfate interact with metals, and why is this important in industrial processes?

Ammonium persulfate can oxidize many metals, converting them to higher oxidation states or soluble metal ions. This property is used in etching processes, such as in PCB manufacturing. However, it also means that ammonium persulfate can be corrosive to metal equipment. In industrial processes, this interaction necessitates the use of appropriate materials for storage and handling, typically plastics or glass-lined vessels.

43. What is the role of ammonium persulfate in the vulcanization of rubber?

In rubber vulcanization, ammonium persulfate can act as a curing agent. It generates free radicals that initiate cross-linking reactions between rubber polymer chains, improving the rubber's strength, elasticity, and durability. Its use allows for vulcanization at lower temperatures compared to traditional sulfur vulcanization, which can be advantageous for heat-sensitive rubber compounds.

44. How does the presence of ammonium persulfate affect the freezing point of water?

Ammonium persulfate, like other soluble salts, lowers the freezing point of water through freezing point depression. When dissolved, the ions from ammonium persulfate interfere with the formation of ice crystals, requiring a lower temperature for freezing to occur. This property can be important in applications where preventing freezing is necessary, such as in certain industrial processes or in cold-weather concrete curing.

45. What is the significance of ammonium persulfate's oxidation-reduction potential in electrochemistry?

The high oxidation-reduction potential of ammonium persulfate (E° = 2.01 V) makes it a powerful oxidizing agent in electrochemical systems. This property is utilized in various electrochemical applications, including as a supporting electrolyte in certain electroanalytical methods. Its strong oxidizing nature can also be used to clean electrode surfaces or to oxidize species in solution as part of electrochemical processes.