Sodium Percarbonate as I want to use it as Hydrogen Peroxide

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of Sodium Percarbonate as a substitute for Hydrogen Peroxide, specifically focusing on how to create a 6% aqueous solution from the powder. Participants explore the chemistry involved, including the dissolution process and the resulting compounds, while addressing practical concerns about mixing and purity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Kev, seeks guidance on mixing Sodium Percarbonate with water to achieve a 6% solution of Hydrogen Peroxide.
  • Another participant questions Kev's understanding of the chemistry involved, suggesting that knowledge of molar mass and percent concentration is necessary.
  • It is noted that Sodium Percarbonate produces Hydrogen Peroxide and Soda Ash when dissolved in water.
  • Some participants express concern about Kev's lack of chemistry knowledge and suggest that purchasing ready-made Hydrogen Peroxide might be a better option.
  • A specific mixing ratio of 185 g of Sodium Percarbonate to 1L of water is proposed by one participant, though it is noted that this may not yield a solution with the intended concentration due to potential impurities.
  • There is a discussion about the stability of Hydrogen Peroxide solutions and the importance of storage conditions to maintain strength.
  • Participants mention that commercial Hydrogen Peroxide is often stabilized with acids, although there is uncertainty about which specific acid is used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriateness of using Sodium Percarbonate in place of Hydrogen Peroxide, with some cautioning against it due to potential differences in behavior and purity. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to achieve the desired solution strength.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about the purity of Sodium Percarbonate and its behavior in solution, as well as the potential presence of Soda Ash affecting the final concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide.

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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