Sodium Percarbonate as I want to use it as Hydrogen Peroxide

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the use of Sodium Percarbonate as a substitute for Hydrogen Peroxide, specifically aiming to create a 6% aqueous solution. Users recommend mixing 185 grams of Sodium Percarbonate with water to fill up to 1 liter to achieve the desired concentration. However, participants caution that the resulting solution may not behave identically to commercial Hydrogen Peroxide due to the presence of soda ash and potential purity issues. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding chemical properties and concentrations when substituting one compound for another.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic knowledge of chemical concentrations and molar ratios
  • Understanding of Sodium Percarbonate and its properties
  • Familiarity with the process of creating aqueous solutions
  • Awareness of the stability and storage requirements for Hydrogen Peroxide
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and applications of Sodium Percarbonate
  • Learn about the chemical reactions involved in dissolving Sodium Percarbonate
  • Investigate the differences between commercial Hydrogen Peroxide and homemade solutions
  • Explore methods for stabilizing Hydrogen Peroxide solutions for longer shelf life
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for chemists, cleaning product formulators, and anyone interested in using Sodium Percarbonate as an alternative to Hydrogen Peroxide in various applications.

kevf6
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Hi chaps

I wonder if anyone can help - I'm really stuck! I have purchased Sodium Percarbonate as I want to use it as Hydrogen Peroxide.

I want to use it at 6% strength but do not know what ratio to mix it with water with! The data sheet is here: http://mistralie.co.uk/files/msds/sodiumpercarbonate.pdf but I'm struggling to understand.

Please help!

Many thanks

Kev
 
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Ah, the joys of acting first, thinking later.

Do you know formula of the compound? Do you know what happens when it is dissolved in water?
 
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Hi Borek

Unfortunately not. All I know is what the data sheet says and that Sodium Percarbonate creates Hydrogen Peroxide and Soda Ash.

I just presumed that it would come with some guidlines on mixing!

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

Kev
 
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I'm pretty useless at chemistry:shy:

I read that link yesterday but its like gobbledy gook to me! All I need to know really is how can I make 6% aquous solution of hydrogen peroxide from this powder.

Sorry for being a bit dim.

Kev
 
You geeks really are a helpful bunch aren't you
 
If you don't know anything about chemistry and molar ratios, you don't have much business mixing hydrogen peroxide using sodium percarbonate in my opinion. Why not just buy a bottle of hydrogen peroxide from a pharmacy?
 
Sorry, missed your previous post.

This is against all forum rules.

Take 185 g, add some water to dissolve, fill up to 1L.

And I agree with Mech.
 
Borek said:
Sorry, missed your previous post.

This is against all forum rules.

Take 185 g, add some water to dissolve, fill up to 1L.

And I agree with Mech.

Oh! The Shame! The Shame! How will you live this down, Borek?

Kevf6, if you want to use this stuff in place of hydrogen peroxide, think again! This solution won't behave the same as the real thing. It might work in your case, though. As long as you intended to add a base like soda ash to your hydrogen peroxide in the first place. Otherwise, it's a crap shoot.

It's hard to be helpful when you state that you bought one chemical in place of another! Do you know how pure this chemical is? Borek's answer probably assumes 100 percent purity. If you were to buy the stuff as reagent grade (much purer than, say, OxiClean) you would read the label and be informed that the "Available H2O2 20-30%". What do you think that says about the purity of reagent grade sodium percarbonate? You might aim for 6% and get only 4%. Of course you'll also have a lot of soda ash in solution... if that's what you want.
 
  • #10
I had worse :wink:
 
  • #11
Ok guys, thanks a lot it is appreciated :wink: Its just that I use it a lot in my trade and buying it in small bottles is a pain.

I have tried using 18% HP, then mixing with distilled water to get 6% which did work, but I found that it didnt last very long in terms of it retaining its strength. I read that it should be kept in brown bottles or anything not see through - as the light deteriorates it!

I didnt know that the product I bought contained soda ash - is this just a sort of filler? Oh well back to the drawing board!

Kev
 
  • #12
kevf6 said:
Ok guys, thanks a lot it is appreciated :wink: Its just that I use it a lot in my trade and buying it in small bottles is a pain.

I have tried using 18% HP, then mixing with distilled water to get 6% which did work, but I found that it didnt last very long in terms of it retaining its strength. I read that it should be kept in brown bottles or anything not see through - as the light deteriorates it!

I didnt know that the product I bought contained soda ash - is this just a sort of filler? Oh well back to the drawing board!

Kev

Commercial peroxide is stabilized with a little acid. I'm not sure which acid is used but I know that it is very pure and would contain no transition metals. Don't try to use muriatic acid.
 
  • #13
chemisttree said:
Commercial peroxide is stabilized with a little acid. I'm not sure which acid is used

I think it is phosphoric.
 

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