Sodium Peroxide
Na₂O₂ | CAS: 1313-60-6 | HS: 28154000
Product Description
Sodium Peroxide is a powerful oxidising and oxygen-generating compound produced by burning sodium metal in excess oxygen. Its most important property is the reaction with water or CO₂ to simultaneously generate oxygen and sodium hydroxide — making it a key material in self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and submarine/mine oxygen generation systems where both CO₂ absorption and O₂ generation are needed from a single compound. In industrial chemistry, it is used as a bleaching agent for wood pulp, textiles, and natural fibres, as an oxidising agent for mineral and ore fusion in analytical chemistry, and as a starting material for sodium peroxide-derived peroxide compounds. MITCHEM supplies sodium peroxide in sealed metal drums with inert gas blanketing to prevent moisture absorption during storage and transport.
Applications by Industry
Reacts with water vapour and CO₂ in exhaled air to produce oxygen and sodium bicarbonate — used in SCBA, submarine emergency systems, and mine rescue breathing apparatus.
Releases hydrogen peroxide upon dissolving in water; used as a mild oxidative bleach for cotton, flax, and wood pulp at lower concentrations where H₂O₂ instability is a concern.
Used in alkaline fusion of refractory minerals, silicates, and ores prior to dissolution and analysis; converts silicates, chromite, and sulphides to water-soluble forms.
Strong oxidant for converting lower oxidation state metal compounds to higher forms, for synthesis of sodium superoxide, and as an initiator in specialty organic oxidation reactions.