A chronopotentiometric investigation of the dissociation of sulphate ions in molten equimolar NaCl-KCl at 750°C

The Lux—Flood acid—base equilibrium SO₃ + O²⁻ SO₄²⁻ in molten equimolar NaCl/KCl at 750°C has been investigated using conventional chronopotentiometry. The equilibrium constant for this reaction is shown to be very high (K > 10²). Thus the sulphate ion in solution in this melt does not decompose unless a very strong acid such as the metaphosphate ion is added to the melt. This removes oxide ions according to the reaction. 2PO₃⁻ + SO₄²⁻ → SO₃ + P₂O₇⁴⁻ The pyrophosphate anion is not a sufficiently strong acid to remove oxide from sulphate.