A Study of Chemical Reactions in Molten Sodium-Potassium Bisulfate Eutectic. I. The Reactions of Metals

Abstract

The reactions of 18 metals with molten sodium-potassium bisulfate eutectic were studied. Results obtained isothermally at 200ºC indicated that Al, V and Au did not react with the melt; Na, Mg, Mn and Zn reacted to produce H₂; Co, Ni, Cu, Ag, Sn, Hg and Pb produced SO₂ and H₂O; while Ti, Cr, Fe and Cd produced H₂, H₂O and SO₂. Reactions in general were slow and, due to formation of a protective coating on the surface, metals reacted only partly, with the exception of Na, Cu, Ag and Zn which reacted and dissolved in the melt completely. Due to partial reactions mostly qualitative or semi-quantitative results were obtained and possible reaction stoichiometries have been suggested.