Potassium nitrate has a vast variety of applications. Appropriate preparations of potassium nitrate find use in fertilizers, food preservatives, tooth paste, rocket propellants and fireworks. In addition, it is also used as an electrolyte in a salt bridge, and as thermal storage medium in power generation systems. It forms phase change material with silica and alumina nanoparticles. In combination with boron trifluoride it forms an efficient reagent for nitration of aromatic compounds. Adsorption on alumina provides an environmentally benign aromatic nitrating agent.
This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.
ApplicationsPotassium nitrate has a vast variety of applications. Appropriate preparations of potassium nitrate find use in fertilizers, food preservatives, tooth paste, rocket propellants and fireworks. In addition, it is also used as an electrolyte in a salt bridge, and as thermal storage medium in power generation systems. It forms phase change material with silica and alumina nanoparticles. In combination with boron trifluoride it forms an efficient reagent for nitration of aromatic compounds. Adsorption on alumina provides an environmentally benign aromatic nitrating agent.
SolubilityModerately soluble in water, and insoluble in alcohol. Soluble in glycerol and ammonia.
NotesIt is an oxidizer. Stable under ordinary conditions. Incompatible with reducing agents and alcohols.