Sodium sulfate is the Sodium Salt of Sulphuric Acid and is an inorganic compound that occurs as a white solid or crystals. It has many uses and is highly soluble in water. Its decahydrate form is Na2SO4ꞏ10H2O and is called Glauber’s Salt.
In this article, we will learn about the Sodium Sulfate, Significance of Sodium Sulfate Chemistry, Structure of Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate Applications, Sodium Sulfate Chemical Properties, and others in detail.
Table of Content
What is Anhydrous Sodium Sulfate?
Anhydrous Sodium Sulfate, or Thenardite, is a white crystalline solid with the chemical formula Na2SO4. It is anhydrous, meaning it does not contain water, and is the sodium salt form of sulfuric acid. Sodium sulfate anhydrous is used in various industries, including soaps and detergents, glass production, and as a drying agent in organic synthesis.
Sodium sulfate anhydrous is considered moderately water and acid-soluble, and chemically inert. However, it is toxic and can have acute health effects upon exposure, such as eye contact, skin contact, ingestion, and inhalation. Proper storage and disposal of the compound are essential to avoid unwanted consequences.
Chemical Formula for Sodium Sulfate
The chemical formula of Sodium Sulfate is Na2SO4
Molecular Mass of Sodium Sulfate
- The molecular mass of Sodium Sulfate is 142.04 gm/mole
Sodium Sulfate Boiling Point
- Sodium sulfate boiling point is 1,429 °C
Sodium Sulfate Solubility
- Sodium Sulfate is generally soluble in Water, Glycerol and Hydrogen but insoluble in Ethanol.
Sodium Sulfate Melting Point
- Sodium sulfate boiling point is 884 °C
Sodium Sulfate Color
- Sodium Sulfate is a white crystalline powder.
Density of Sodium Sulfate
- 2.664 gm/ml (Anhydrous)
- 1.464 gm/ml (Decahydrate)
Structure of Sodium Sulfate
Sodium Sulfate Structure is shown in the image added below,
Properties of Sodium Sulphate
Some properties of Sodium Sulphate are added in the table below,
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Molecular Formula |
Na2SO4 |
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Molecular Weight |
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Appearance |
White Crystalline Solid |
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Boiling Point |
1429°C |
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Melting Point |
884°C |
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Density |
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Refractive Index |
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Solubility |
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Chemical Properties of Sodium Sulphate
- Neutrality: Sodium sulfate is a neutral salt with equal numbers of sodium and sulfate ions.
- Reactivity: Sodium sulfate is unreactive towards most oxidizing or reducing agents. However, at high temperatures, it can be converted to sodium sulfide by carbothermal reduction.
- Acid-base behavior: When heated with sulfuric acid, sodium sulfate reacts to give the acid salt sodium bisulfate.
- Oxidation states: Sodium sulfate is a neutral salt and does not undergo oxidation or reduction reactions.
Reaction of Sodium Sulfate and Barium Chloride
Na2SO4 + BaCl2 → BaSO4 + 2NaCl
Sodium Sulfate Significance in Chemistry
Sodium Sulfate is a important compound of Sodium and has various uses some of its properties are,
Chemical Formula of Sodium Sulfate
Sodium sulfate is the sodium salt of sulfuric acid, and its chemical formula is Na2SO4.
Mineral Thenardite: Anhydrous Sodium Sulfate is also known as the mineral Thenardite.
Glauber’s Salt: The decahydrate form of Sodium Sulfate, Na2SO4.10H2O, is known as Glauber’s salt or Mirabilis.
Preparations of Sodium Sulphate
Johann Rudolf Glauber in 1625 was the first to discover Sodium Sulphate in its hydrate form and hence it is called Glauber’s Salt. It is produced by the reaction of Sodium Chloride and Sulphuric Acid.
2NaCl + H2SO4 → 2HCl + Na2SO4
Anhydrous Sodium Sulphate
It has a chemical formula of Na2SO4, which means that it contains two sodium ions (Na+) and one sulfate ion (SO42-). The sulfate ion has a tetrahedral shape, with the sulfur atom (S) in the centre and four oxygen atoms (O) at the corners. The sodium ions are located around the sulfate ion, attracted to its negative charge.
Sodium Sulphate Decahydrate
It is also known as Glauber’s salt or Mirabilite, is the most common form of sodium sulfate. It has a chemical formula of Na2SO4·10H2O, which means that it contains two sodium ions (Na+), one sulfate ion (SO42-), and ten water molecules (H2O). The water molecules around the sulfate ion are attracted to its positive charge. The sodium ions are also located around the sulfate ion, attracted to its negative charge.
Resources of Sodium Sulfate
Sodium sulfate, also known as Glauber’s salt, is a naturally occurring mineral found in evaporitic deposits, saline lakes, and hydrothermal vents. It is also a byproduct of several industrial processes, such as sulfuric acid and rayon production.
Natural Sources of Sodium Sulfate
- Evaporitic deposits: These are deposits of minerals that were formed by the evaporation of seawater or other saline waters. Some of the largest evaporitic sodium sulfate deposits are in China, Spain, Mexico, and the United States.
- Saline lakes: These have a high concentration of dissolved salts. Some of the largest saline lakes containing sodium sulfate are in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Australia.
- Hydrothermal vents: These are underwater vents that release hot, mineral-rich water. Sodium sulfate is one of the minerals that can be found in hydrothermal vents.
Industrial Sources of Sodium Sulfate
- Production of sulfuric acid: Sodium sulfate is a byproduct of the production of sulfuric acid by the Leblanc process. This process is no longer widely used, but it is still used in some parts of the world.
Global Production of Sodium Sulfate
The global sodium sulfate production is estimated to be around 6 million tones per year. China is the world’s largest producer of sodium sulfate, followed by India, Mexico, and the United States.
Production of Sodium Sulfate
There are several methods for the preparation of sodium sulfate. Some standard techniques include:
Neutralization reaction: Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base, and when reacted with sulfuric acid (H2SO4), it reacts to form sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and water (H2O). This reaction is often used in laboratory preparations.
Hargreaves process: This method involves the production of sodium sulfate from sulfur dioxide, which reacts with sodium chloride, sulfuric acid, and oxygen to form sodium sulfate.
Direct reaction: Sodium chloride can be reacted with concentrated sulfuric acid to produce anhydrous sodium sulfate. It involves crushing industrial salt, sieving it, mixing it with concentrated sulfuric acid in a weight ratio of 1 to 0.7, and conducting a high-temperature chemical reaction to produce sodium sulfate and hydrogen chloride gas. The sodium sulfate is then cooled and crushed.
Sodium Sulfate in Everyday Life
Sodium sulfate has many everyday life uses, which are:
Drying Agent: In the laboratory, anhydrous sodium sulfate is used as an inert drying agent for removing traces of water from organic solutions
Laundry Detergents: It is used as a filler in powdered home laundry detergents
Cattle feed: Sodium sulfate is used as an additive to cattle feed.
Applications and Uses of Sodium Sulfate in Various Industries
Sodium sulfate has many applications in different industries, such as:
- Textiles: Sodium sulfate is used to manufacture textiles, particularly in Japan, to increase the ionic strength of the solution and help level dyes evenly on textile fibers.
- Medicine: Glauber’s salt, the decahydrate form of sodium sulfate, was historically used as a laxative and for removing certain drugs from the body.
- Glass Manufacturing: It is used as a fining agent to remove tiny air bubbles from molten glass
Health Impact of Sodium Sulfate
Various health impact of Sodium Suphate are,
- Acute toxicity effects of sodium sulfate in humans are limited, with diarrhoea reported after a single dose over 300 mg/kg.
- While slightly irritating to the eyes, sodium sulphate does not irritate skin. Respiratory irritation has never been reported
- Sensitizing effects are highly unlikely due to the natural occurrence of sulfate in the body.
Environmental Impact of Sodium Sulfate
Various environmental impact of Sodium Suphate are,
- Sodium sulfate has a favorable ecological profile, with low aquatic toxicity and natural recycling in the sulfur cycle
- Wide dispersive use of sodium sulfate does not present a significant hazard to the environment, although locally, peak concentrations may be damaging to un-adapted flora and fauna
- Sulfates contribute to the acidification of surface water and soil and can contribute to acid rain and fog that damage ecosystems, forests, and plants
- Sulfate particles are part of PM(2.5), which can cause reduced lung function, aggravated asthmatic symptoms, and increased risk of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and death in people who have chronic heart or lung diseases.
Learn More About, Compounds of Sulphur
Learn More About, Compounds of Sodium
Sodium Sulfate-FAQs
1. What is Sodium Sulfate?
Sodium sulfate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na2SO4. It is a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water.
2. How is Sodium Sulfate Used in the Textile Industry?
Sodium sulfate is used in the textile industry to increase the ionic strength of dye solutions and help level dyes evenly on textile fibers.
3. Is Sodium Sulfate Harmful to the Environment?
Sodium sulfate has a relatively low environmental impact compared to other chemicals.
4. What is Sodium Sulfate Used for?
Sodium sulfate has a wide range of applications, includes:
- Drying Agent in laboratory
- Additive to Cattle Feed
- Fining agent in Glass Manufacturing
- Production of Textiles
5. What are Methods for Preparation of Sodium Sulfate?
- Neutralization reaction between sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
- Hargreaves process, which involves the reaction of sulfur dioxide with sodium chloride, sulfuric acid, and oxygen
- Direct reaction between sodium chloride and concentrated sulfuric acid
6. Is Na2SO4 a Salt or Acid?
It is a salt, not an acid.
7. What is Solubility of Sodium Sulphate in Water?
Sodium sulfate is highly soluble in water.
8. What is the Formula for Sodium Sulfate?
The formula for Sodium Sulfate is Na2SO4