Sodium bisulfate, also known as sodium hydrogen sulfate, is the sodium salt of the bisulfate anion, with the molecular formula NaHSO₄.Sodium bisulfate is one of the many synonyms for sodium acid sulfate. It is a dry acid in crystal, granular, or powder form that is used as a pH adjuster, fungicide, herbicide, or microbiocide (a product that kills microbes) in a variety of industries, such as household cleaning and swimming pool maintenance.

Properties of Sodium bisulfate

Appearance: White, crystalline powder

Odor: Generally odorless

Density: 2.742 g/cm³ (at 20°C)

Melting Point: Decomposes at approximately 315°C (decomposition begins at around 150°C)

Solubility: Soluble in water, with a solubility of approximately 55.4 g/100 mL at 20°C. Insoluble in most organic solvents.

Hygroscopicity: Absorbs moisture from the air

pH: Highly acidic, typically around pH 1 in aqueous solution

Stability: Stable under normal conditions but decomposes upon heating or exposure to strong acids.

Other names : sodium hydrogen sulfate, sulfuric acid, monosodium salts, sodium acid sulfate, sodium hydrosulfate, or sodium hydrogen sulfate.

Uses of Sodium bisulfate

It is commonly used as an acidic pH adjuster in various industries, such as in swimming pools to lower pH levels and in water treatment to neutralize alkaline water.

It is used in household cleaning products as a descaler or acid cleaner to remove scale and stains from surfaces, such as metal, tile, and porcelain.

In the food industry, it is used as a food additive, particularly as an acidulant and preservative in processed foods.

It is used in textile dyeing and printing processes as a pH regulator and mordant.

It may be found in personal care products such as hair dyes and hair removal creams.

It can be used for dechlorination of water, effectively neutralizing chlorine compounds.

It finds application as a laboratory reagent in chemical synthesis, particularly in reactions requiring an acidic environment.

In industrial processes, sodium bisulfate is used for metal surface treatment, electroplating, and as a chemical intermediate in the production of various compounds.