Ammonium Bicarbonate

An inorganic compound, it is used in the food industry as a raising agent for flat baked goods, such as cookies and crackers. It also has uses as a fertiliser, pH buffer, and reagent in chemical laboratories. Some other uses in the industry are for the manufacture of dyes, pharmaceuticals, catalysts, ceramics, fire-retardants, plastics and other products.

Synonyms: E503, Ammonium Hydrogen Carbonate, Baking soda, Bicarbonate of Ammonia, Powdered Baking Ammonia, ABC, Ammonium Bicarbonate
Chemical Formula: NH4HCO3
CAS Number: 1066-33-7

Characteristics

Molar Weight: 79.055g/mol

Melting Point: 41.9 °C

Density: 1.586 g/cm3

Forms: Crystals, Powder, White

Uses and Applications

Key applications

Baking
Plastics and polymers
Leather processing
Water treatment
Polishing and cleaning
Pharmaceuticals
Detergent
Rubber
Zinc ore / mining

Industries

General information about ammonium hydrogen bicarbonate

Ammonium hydrogen bicarbonate is also known as ammonium bicarbonate. Ammonium hydrogen bicarbonate is very rare in nature. It is found in the form of the colourless mineral teschemacherite in South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina, for example. Due to the high demand for ammonium hydrogen carbonate in various industries, it is synthesised in the laboratory.

Properties of ammonium hydrogen carbonate

Ammonium bicarbonate is an ammonium salt of carbonic acid. It is a colourless, crystalline powder with an ammonia-like odour. Ammonium hydrogen bicarbonate dissolves well in water, but not in ethanol.

Even at room temperature, it slowly decomposes into ammonia, carbon dioxide and water. The rate of decomposition increases sharply as the temperature rises.

Ammonium hydrogen carbonate can be distinguished from the very similar ammonium carbonate by the higher coarseness of the crystalline powder.

Ammonium bicarbonate in the food industry

Ammonium bicarbonate is used as a leavening agent in industrial baking plants. It is better suited to large production quantities than staghorn salt. In private households, it is also used as a leavening agent as a component of staghorn salt and baking powder. In the production of fruit wine and wine, winegrowers use ammonium bicarbonate to regulate acidity. In the EU food industry, ammonium hydrogen carbonate is authorised as a food additive with the number E 503ii.

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Ammonium bicarbonate in agriculture

Ammonium bicarbonate is mainly used in agriculture as a fertiliser and also increases the pH value of the soil. In animal nutrition, ammonium hydrogen carbonate serves as a buffering agent and regulates the pH value in the digestive tract of animals - particularly important for ruminants such as cows and sheep, which consume large quantities of fermentable feed.

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Ammonium bicarbonate in the cosmetics industry

Ammonium bicarbonate is used in various applications in the cosmetics industry. For example, it helps to improve the texture and stability of products and also serves as a mild cleansing and exfoliating agent. In products such as hair mousse or facial cleansing mousse, it acts as a foaming agent that creates a light and airy texture. In hairsprays, it helps to create volume and texture. Due to its odour-neutralising properties, it is also used in deodorants.

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Ammonium bicarbonate in the cleaning industry

In the cleaning industry, ammonium bicarbonate is used in oven sprays and oven cleaners, where it helps to remove baked-in grease and stubborn dirt. In all-purpose cleaners it is used as a mild scouring and cleaning agent, and in carpet and upholstery cleaners it helps to remove stains. The substance also helps as a descaling agent and window cleaner.

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Ammonium bicarbonate in the plastics and rubber industry

Ammonium bicarbonate is used in the plastics and polymer industry to create foam-like structures in plastics. Foamed plastics have a lower density, which makes them attractive for lightweight construction applications in the automotive, construction and packaging industries.

In the rubber industry, ammonium hydrogen carbonate is used to produce foam rubber. Foam rubber products have a lower density and are therefore ideal for lightweight applications, for example in the automotive industry or in sports shoes. Foam rubber is also used to produce seals and insulation materials. The porous structure of the foam offers good thermal and sound insulation properties, which are ideal for insulating buildings and technical installations.

Ammonium bicarbonate in mining

Ammonium bicarbonate is used in mining as a component of explosives. In combination with other chemicals, it is used as a propellant to improve the blasting effect. Ammonium hydrogen carbonate is also used for dust control in mines. In powder form, it is applied to dusty surfaces, where it attracts moisture from the air and binds dust particles. This helps to reduce dust pollution in mines and other mining environments.

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Ammonium bicarbonate in water treatment

In water treatment, ammonium bicarbonate acts as a pH value regulator. It neutralises acids and thus increases the effectiveness of treatment processes. It also prevents corrosion in pipes and systems.

As a flocculant, it aggregates particles in the water - by adding ammonium hydrogen carbonate, fine particles and turbidity in the water are combined into larger flocs, which can then be removed more easily. The addition of ammonium hydrogen carbonate also inhibits algae growth.

Further areas of application for ammonium hydrogen carbonate

In the pharmaceutical industry, ammonium bicarbonate is used as a "disintegrating agent" to help break down tablets in the body and thus improve the absorption of active ingredients.
Ammonium hydrogen carbonate is used in the construction industry as an additive in concrete and mortar. As a blowing agent, it releases carbon dioxide and thus contributes to the formation of pores in concrete. The substance is also used in the cleaning, restoration and desalination of historical buildings and works of art.
Ammonium hydrogen carbonate is used in leather processing, particularly in the tanning process.