12125-02-9/Ammonium chloride

Chemical Description

Ammonium chloride is used to quench the reaction.

Physicochemical Properties Enhancement

Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) can improve various physicochemical properties of polymers, including mechanical, electrochemical, and electrical features. These enhancements are concentration-dependent, with the salt acting as a potent proton donor due to its four protons attached to a positively charged nitrogen atom.

Antiseptic Properties

Quaternary ammonium compounds like ammonium chloride exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral activities and are widely used as accessible antiseptic molecules. They are effective against a range of viruses.

Medical Use

Ammonium chloride is utilized as a treatment for severe cases of metabolic alkalosis. It acts by raising the endocytic and lysosomal pH, similar to chloroquine, and also possesses antiviral activity against coronaviruses.

Corrosion Agent

Ammonium chloride is implicated in localized corrosion, particularly under deposit corrosion, which poses a significant threat to the structural integrity and safety of refinery processes. It is commonly found in overhead equipment and piping in crude and hydroprocessing units, leading to severe fouling and operational reliability issues.

Smoke Screen Component

Ammonium chloride is a component of smoke screens, often used alongside other substances like zinc oxide. While smoke bombs and smoke pots containing such components can be dangerous and toxic, ammonium chloride is considered safer and more suitable for research in closed laboratory environments.

Environmental Impact

The discharge of industrial effluents containing ammonium chloride into the environment, particularly from chemical fertilizer and rare earth processes, poses environmental challenges. Ammonium chloride is a significant source of ammonia nitrogen, contributing to eutrophication, excessive algae growth, and chloride ion accumulation in freshwater resources.