[Industry Knowledge] · Published: 2019-09-09
Sodium hydrosulfide is a colorless needle-shaped crystal. It is highly deliquescent and decomposes at its melting point, releasing hydrogen sulfide. It dissolves readily in water and alcohol, and its aqueous solution is strongly alkaline. It reacts with acids to release hydrogen sulfide and has a bitter taste.
Sodium hydrosulfide is a common chemical used across many industries. In the dye industry it is used for synthesizing organic intermediates and as an auxiliary in the manufacture of sulfur dyes; in the leather industry it is used for the dehairing and tanning of raw hides; in the fertilizer industry it removes elemental sulfur from activated-carbon desulfurizers; in mining it is used in large quantities for copper ore flotation; and in man-made fiber production it is used in viscose dyeing. It is also a raw material for the manufacture of ammonium sulfide and the intermediate for the pesticide ethanethiol, and is further used in wastewater treatment. Sodium hydrosulfide is obtained by absorbing hydrogen sulfide gas in a solution of sodium sulfide or caustic soda.
