Persulfates
Reliable initiators and oxidizers for polymerization and water treatment
Persulfates (peroxydisulfates) are powerful inorganic oxidizers widely used in polymer chemistry and industrial processes. In particular, Ammonium Persulfate (APS), Potassium Persulfate (KPS), and Sodium Persulfate (SPS) serve as highly effective radical initiators for polymerization reactions. They are indispensable in the manufacture of synthetic latex (e.g. SBR rubber), acrylic emulsions, and other polymers, where they decompose to generate free radicals that kick-start polymer chains. These same oxidizing properties make persulfates valuable in surface treatment and cleaning: for example, persulfates are used to etch and clean metals (such as copper printed circuit boards) by oxidizing metal surfaces. They are also key components in cosmetics, acting as bleach activators in hair bleaching formulations to achieve high-efficiency lightening.
Each product is listed alphabetically below and includes:
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Full chemical name, abbreviation, and CAS number
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Typical applications such as coatings, adhesives, textiles, personal care, or hydrogels
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Packaging options such as drums, IBCs, bulk or customized formats
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Suggested alternatives for formulating flexibility and supply chain resilience
Our persulfate products – APS, KPS, and SPS – are of high purity and stability, ensuring consistent performance across applications. Each type has its strengths: Ammonium Persulfate is a general-purpose initiator and cleaning agent, Potassium Persulfate offers slightly lower solubility (useful for controlled release in reactions), and Sodium Persulfate provides strong oxidizing power with good storage stability. They all decompose cleanly without heavy metal residues, an advantage in sensitive processes.
Explore our range of Persulfates to boost your polymerization and oxidation processes.
ammonium persulphate
CAS: 7727-54-0
APS
Main Applications: Polymerization Initiator (widely used to initiate radical polymerization for latex polymers in coatings, adhesives, and acrylic emulsions), Personal Care (key oxidizing agent in hair bleaching powders and hair dyes), Electronics (used as an etchant for copper circuits in PCB manufacturing) and Textiles (for desizing and bleaching in textile processing)
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Alternative to: Sodium persulphate (SPS).
Ammonium persulfate can replace sodium persulfate as a radical initiator and oxidizing agent in many polymerization and etching processes, offering strong oxidizing power and good water solubility.
potassium persulphate
CAS: 7727-21-1
PPS
Main Applications: Polymerization (similarly used as a free-radical initiator in emulsion polymerization for plastics, rubber, and resins), Hair Bleaching (a common component in hair bleach formulations as an oxidizer, often in combination with ammonium persulfate), Printed Circuit Board Etching (etchant for microelectronics to selectively remove metals) and Pool & Water Treatment (used in some applications to generate free radicals for oxidative cleaning). Potassium persulfate is valued for its stability and is often the persulfate of choice in cosmetic bleach powders.
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Alternative to: Ammonium persulphate (APS).
Potassium persulfate can replace APS as an initiator or oxidant where slightly different solubility and decomposition behavior are beneficial, for example in emulsion polymerization and hair-bleaching systems.
sodium persulphate
CAS: 7775-27-1
SPS
Main Applications: Electronics (used to microetch and clean copper surfaces in PCB fabrication and semiconductor manufacturing), Polymer Manufacturing (initiator for emulsion polymerizations in making latex paints, adhesives, and acrylate dispersions), Textile Bleaching (serves as a bleach/oxidizing agent in textile and laundry applications) and Cleaning/Etchant (ingredient in cleaning agents for metal surfaces and in oxidative water treatment).