zinc sulphate
Definition
Noun: A colorless, water-soluble inorganic compound with the chemical formula ZnSO₄. It is typically encountered as a crystalline powder and has several industrial and commercial applications, primarily as a mordant in dyeing, a wood preservative, and an electrolyte in the electroplating of zinc.
Usage Examples
- The laboratory technician prepared a solution of zinc sulphate for the electroplating experiment.
- Zinc sulphate is commonly applied to lumber to prevent fungal decay and insect damage.
- In the textile industry, zinc sulphate serves as a mordant to help dyes bind to fabric fibers.
Advanced Usage
- Medical and Agricultural Use: While the core definition focuses on industrial uses, zinc sulphate is also an important source of zinc in agricultural fertilizers to correct soil deficiencies and in some medicinal supplements (e.g., as a component in some eye drops or oral supplements for zinc deficiency). This usage is based on its fundamental property as a soluble zinc salt.
- Hydrate Forms: The compound is often found in hydrated forms, such as zinc sulphate heptahydrate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O), which appears as colorless crystals. The specific hydrate can be important for certain applications.
Variants and Related Words
- Zinc sulfate: The preferred spelling in American English.
- White vitriol: A traditional name for zinc sulphate, particularly in its hydrated form.
- ZnSO₄: The standard chemical formula.
- Electrolyte: A substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved; zinc sulphate functions as one in electroplating baths.
- Mordant: A substance used to fix dyes; zinc sulphate acts in this capacity.
Synonyms
- Zinc sulfate (US spelling)
- White vitriol (historical/industrial context)
Related Phrases and Terms
- Zinc electrodeposition: The industrial process of coating an object with a layer of zinc using an electrical current, for which a zinc sulphate solution is a common electrolyte.
- Zinc deficiency: A nutritional condition for which zinc sulphate is sometimes prescribed as a supplement.
Noun
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a colorless water-soluble powder; used as a mordant or to preserve wood or for the electrodeposition of zinc
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