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Ammonium Sulfate

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Last updated date: 22nd Mar 2024
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What is ammonium sulfate?

Ammonium Sulfate is non-unsafe to humans. It is otherwise called DiAmmonium Sulfate or Sulphuric acid diAmmonium salt. It has no smell and dissolves in water with ease. It doesn't dissolve in acetone. It shows up as a translucent solid white and has a salty taste. It is generally utilized as manure for soil, which contains 21% nitrogen and 24% sulfur. Ammonium Sulfate is an inorganic salt with high solvency that dissociates into Ammonium (NH4)+and Sulfate (SO4)2- in watery solutions. 

 

Ammonium Sulfate is particularly helpful as a precipitant since it is profoundly dissolvable, settles the protein structure, has a moderately low density, is promptly accessible, and is generally economical. Today in this article, we will learn about what is Ammonium Sulfate, what are the properties of Ammonium Sulfate (NH4)2SO4, what does Ammonium Sulfate do, what is Ammonium Sulfate used for, what is ferrous Ammonium Sulfate, and what is Ammonium Sulfate fertilizer.

 

Ammonium Sulfate Structure (NH4)2SO

Given below is the structure of Ammonium Sulfate.

 

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Let us now learn about the different properties of Ammonium Sulfate (NH4)2SO4.

 

Properties of Ammonium Sulfate (NH4)2SO4

Chemical formula of Ammonium Sulfate

(NH4)2SO4

Molecular weight or Molar mass

132.14g/mol

Density 

1.77 g/cm3

Melting point

235 - 280 °C

Appearance 

Fine white crystalline solid or hygroscopic granules

 

(NH4)2SO4 Uses Ammonium Sulfate

Let us now learn about what Ammonium Sulfate is used for.

  1. Ammonium Sulfate precipitation is a typical technique for protein refinement by precipitation. As the ionic quality of a solution expands, the dissolvability of proteins in that solution diminishes. Ammonium Sulfate is amazingly solvent in water because of its ionic nature, thus, it can "salt out" proteins by precipitation.

  2. A high salt focus, which can be accomplished by including or expanding the grouping of Ammonium Sulfate in a solution, empowers protein division dependent on a decline in protein dissolvability; this partition might be accomplished by centrifugation.

  3. Precipitation by Ammonium Sulfate is an aftereffect of a decrease in insolvency instead of protein denaturation, in this manner the encouraged protein can be solubilized using standard cradles. Ammonium Sulfate precipitation gives a helpful and straightforward intention to fractionate complex protein mixtures.

  4. In the examination of the rubber grids, unpredictable fatty acids are dissected when rubber is accelerated with a 35% Ammonium Sulfate solution, that tends to leave a reasonable liquid from which the unstable fatty acids are recovered with the help of sulfuric acid and afterwards refined with the steam. Particular precipitation with Ammonium Sulfate, inverse to the typical precipitation strategy which utilizes acidic acid, doesn't meddle with the assurance of unstable fatty acids.

 

What is the Use of Ammonium Sulfate as a Food Added Substance?

As a food added substance, Ammonium Sulfate is viewed as commonly perceived as protected (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and in the European Union, it is assigned by the E number E517. It is utilized as an acidity controller in flours and bread.

 

Other Uses of Ammonium Sulfate

  1. In the treatment of drinking water, Ammonium Sulfate is utilized in a blend with chlorine to produce monochloramine for disinfection.

  2. Ammonium Sulfate is utilized from a more minor perspective in the arrangement of other Ammonium salts, particularly Ammonium perSulfate.

  3. Ammonium Sulfate is recorded as an ingredient for some United States vaccines per the Center for Disease Control.

  4. Ammonium Sulfate has additionally been utilized in flame retardant creations acting a lot like diAmmonium phosphate. As a flame retardant, it builds the ignition temperature of the material, diminishes greatest weight reduction rates, and causes an expansion in the creation of buildup or burn. Its flame-retardant adequacy can be upgraded by mixing it with Ammonium sulfamate. It has been utilized in flying firefighting.

  5. Ammonium Sulfate has been utilized as a wood preservative. However, because of its hygroscopic nature, this utilization has generally ended as a result of related problems with metal clasp corrosion, dimensional unsteadiness, and finish disappointments.


What is Ammonium Sulfate?

Ammonium Sulfate is an inorganic salt that finds its usage in commercial industries. This salt, with no smell, dissolves easily in water. It appears as fine white crystals or as hygroscopic granules. The salt is found naturally in mineral mascagnite in volcanic fumaroles and coal fires at dump yards. Containing 21% nitrogen and 24% sulfur, Ammonium Sulfate is mainly used as a growing plant agent.


Ammonium Sulfate – Properties, Uses, and Structure

Definition

Ammonium Sulfate is an inorganic salt with (NH4)2SO4. Its IUPAC name is Ammonium tetraoxosulphate(VI). It is also known as DiAmmonium Sulfate, sulphuric acid, diAmmonium salt, mascagnite, and dopamine. It is a white odorless solid that sinks and dissolves in water. This salt is made by making ammonia react with sulphuric acid. In several parts of the world, abundant supplies of calcium Sulfate are found in mineral forms. Therefore, calcium Sulfate is used for making Ammonium Sulfate by combining it with ammonia and water. 


Properties of Ammonium Sulfate

Ammonium Sulfate has a molar mass of 132.14 g/mol. It appears as fine white hygroscopic granules. Ammonium Sulfate has a density of 1.77 g/cm3. It has a solubility of 70.6 g per 100 g of water. Ammonium Sulfate is insoluble in acetone, alcohol, and ether. (NH4)2SO4 → (NH4)HSO4 + NH3


Ammonium Sulfate is formed by adding finely divided gypsum to an Ammonium carbonate solution.


(NH4)2CO3 + CaSO4 → (NH4)2SO4 + CaCO3


Ammonium Sulfate forms ferroelectric at low temperature below -49.5°C. At room temperature, it crystallizes. This salt’s melting point ranges between 235 to 280 °C. It decomposes upon heating above 250°C. 


Overheating decomposes Ammonium Sulfate to form Ammonium biSulfate, and further heating decomposes it into Ammonium, nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and water.


Structure of Ammonium Sulfate

Ammonium Sulfate is non-hazardous to humans. The structure of Ammonium Sulfate is:


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Ammonium Sulfate has a tetrahedral structure formed by a central nitrogen atom bond with four nitrogen atoms. It also is bonded by a second complexion, the Sulfate anion. The Sulfate anion has a central sulfur atom bonded to 4 oxygen atoms. 


Uses of Ammonium Sulfate

Ammonium Sulfate finds its use in a wide range of industries. Some of its common uses are as follows:

  • Used as a fertilizer

  • Used as a reagent


Ammonium Sulfate is used as a reagent for molecular biology as it is a good precipitant agent for proteins.

  • Used as insecticide

  • Serves as a food additive


Ammonium Sulfate is recognized as a food additive. It is also used as an acidity regulator in flours and bread.

  • Acts as a disinfectant


Ammonium Sulfate is used in the treatment of drinking water. It is combined with chlorine to generate monochloramine for disinfection.

  • Used as disease controller


The United States uses Ammonium Sulfate in the preparation of vaccines.

  • Salt preparator


It is used on a small scale to prepare Ammonium salts like Ammonium perSulfate.

  • Used as a wood preservative


The hygroscopic nature makes it  a wood preservative.

  • Used for tanning leather

  • Used as a flame retardant.

FAQs on Ammonium Sulfate

1. What is Ammonium Sulfate Fertilizer Used for?

The essential uses of ammonium sulfate is in the form of compost for soluble soils. In the dirt the ammonium particle is delivered and shapes a limited quantity of acid, bringing down the pH parity of the dirt, while contributing fundamental nitrogen for plant development. The primary disservice to the usage of the compound ammonium sulfate is its lower nitrogen content when it is compared to that of the ammonium nitrate, which tends to increase the transportation costs.


It is additionally utilized as a rural splash adjuvant for water-dissolvable bug sprays, herbicides, and fungicides. There, its capacities to tie iron and calcium cations that are available in both well water and plant cells. It is especially powerful as an adjuvant for 2,4-D (amine), glyphosate, and glufosinate herbicides.

2. What is Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate Used for?

Sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate are broadly utilized surfactant in shampoos, shower items, hair colourants, facial cosmetics, antiperspirants, aromas, and shaving arrangements; in any case, they can likewise be found in other item plans.


Sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate are surfactants that help with the blending of oil and water. All things considered, they can clean the skin and hair by helping water to blend in with oil and soil so they can be flushed away or suspend inadequately solvent ingredients in water.

3. What are the disadvantages of Ammonium Sulfate?

The primary disadvantage of Ammonium Sulfate is that it has a low nitrogen content compared to Ammonium nitrate. This elevates the transportation costs. In addition, it causes a high concentration of salts to form in the soil. The salt-action causes the injury or death of a new plant. Consistent usage of it as fertilizer can permanently change soil pH value and deplete the nutrient yield of crops during the seasons.

4. Why is Ammonium Sulfate used as a fertilizer?

Due to its nitrogen content in the molecules, Ammonium Sulfate is used as a fertilizer agent for alkaline soils. In the soil, it releases Ammonium ions to form a small amount of acid that reduces the pH value of the soil. It also releases nitrogen which inducing plant growth. Ammonium sulphate is used as an agricultural spray. It serves as a drug in insecticide, herbicide, and fungicide. It helps bind iron and calcium cations present in well water and plant cells. It is used for glyphosate,2,4-D amine, and glufosinate herbicide as a drug.

5. Where to find free course material for chemistry?

Visit Vedantu for free course material on chemistry. The site and app offer study notes on Ammonium Sulfate – properties, uses, and structure. Vedantu has lessons taught in accessible language by expert professors. The worksheets help to evaluate the progress of the students. The online test by site tracks the learning of the students. Vedantu also offers study material for biology, physics, and other subjects. Additionally, courses for IIT-Jee and Neet are available at the site.


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6. Does Ammonium Sulfate serve as an acid or a base?

Ammonium Sulfate is a salt, and salts are formed due to a neutralization reaction between an acid and a base. Ammonium Sulfate is formed due to the reaction between sulphuric acid and Ammonium hydroxide. Sulphuric acid is a strong acid, while Ammonium hydroxide is weak and this makes Ammonium sulphate an acid. Acidic salts are produced due to solid acid and a weak base reaction. 

7. How is Ammonium Sulfate used as a flame retardant?

As a flame retardant, Ammonium Sulfate acts like diAmmonium phosphate to increase the combustion temperature of the material, decrease the maximum weight loss rate, and cause an increase in the production of residue or char. The salt’s flame retardant efficiency increases by combining it with Ammonium sulfamate. The dampness of Ammonium Sulfate reduces the fire temperature to around 100 degrees. Therefore, it has been abundantly used in aerial firefighting.