Magnesium diphosphate trihydrate, also known as magnesium phosphate trihydrate, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Mg(H2PO4)2·3H2O. This compound is a crystal composed of magnesium dihydrogen phosphate and water molecules, where each magnesium dihydrogen phosphate molecule is bound to three water molecules.
Magnesium diphosphate trihydrate is a white or colorless crystal with good solubility. It occurs in nature in the form of the mineral brucite and can also be synthesized by chemical reactions.
Magnesium diphosphate trihydrate has a wide range of uses in different fields shown as below:
1. Pharmaceutical ingredients: Magnesium diphosphate trihydrate can be used as an ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the preparation of antacids and sustained-release agents. It is also used to make fillers or diluents for some oral preparations.
2. Nutritional supplements: It can be used as a supplement for magnesium and phosphorus in food and animal feed to provide essential mineral nutrients.
3. Food additives: In the food industry, magnesium diphosphate trihydrate can be used as a buffer, acidity regulator, stabilizer or preservative. It can also act as a yeast nutrient to help bread and other bakery products ferment.
4. Anti-caking agent: In powdered products, such as milk powder and powdered sugar, magnesium diphosphate trihydrate can be used as an anti-caking agent to prevent the product from clumping during storage.
5. Acidity regulator: Magnesium diphosphate trihydrate can be used as an acidity regulator to adjust the pH value of food, affecting the taste and shelf life of food.
6. Water treatment: Magnesium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate can be used as a water treatment chemical to help remove heavy metal ions from water, as well as as a flocculant and precipitant.
7. Ceramic materials: In ceramic manufacturing, magnesium diphosphate trihydrate can be used as a flux to reduce the sintering temperature of ceramics and improve their mechanical properties.
8. Agriculture: Magnesium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate can be used as a phosphate fertilizer for plants, providing phosphorus elements needed for plant growth.