Description
Ammonium Persulphate 98% Electronic Grade
Ammonium Persulphate 98% Electronic Grade (CAS 7727-54-0, molecular formula (NH4)2S2O8) is a process chemical for electronics and metal finishing, where trace metal content and particle contamination matter as much as headline assay. China Chemicals supplies it at 98% min in pack sizes from 1 kg through to 500 kg Pallet, so laboratory trial quantities and full production volumes can be sourced from the same specification.
It is also traded as APS, Ammonium Peroxydisulphate, Diammonium Persulfate. Every consignment ships with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis and the current Safety Data Sheet, and material is stored and picked under stock rotation so you receive product well inside its shelf life.
Typical applications
- Copper etching of printed circuit boards
- Micro-etch and surface roughening before plating
- Polymerisation initiator for acrylic emulsions
- Oxidiser in hair and textile bleach systems
- Desizing agent in textile preparation
Technical specification
| Chemical name | Ammonium Persulphate 98% Electronic Grade |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | APS, Ammonium Peroxydisulphate, Diammonium Persulfate |
| CAS number | 7727-54-0 |
| Molecular formula | (NH4)2S2O8 |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Assay | 98.0% min |
| Chloride | 0.001% max |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.001% max |
| Heavy metals as Pb | 5 ppm max |
| Moisture | 0.2% max |
| pH (1% solution) | 3.0 – 4.0 |
Values above are typical and are confirmed on the Certificate of Analysis issued against each batch. Tighter specifications can be quoted where a process requires them.
Packaging and supply
Available in 1 kg, 5 kg, 25 kg Drum, 500 kg Pallet. Bulk, road tanker and export drum quantities are quoted on request, including FOB and CIF terms for international shipment. Pricing shown is per pack in USD, exclusive of freight and any applicable duties.
Handling and safety
Transport classification: UN1444. Confirm the proper shipping name, hazard class and packing group against the current SDS and transport documents before shipping. Primary health hazard: Oxidiser, Class 5.1. Store in the original closed container in a cool, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials, and handle using appropriate personal protective equipment. Read the Safety Data Sheet in full before use — it is issued with every order and is available on request before purchase. Supply to industry only. Products are sold for legitimate industrial, laboratory and manufacturing use. We may request end-use details and business registration before releasing an order.
What Is Ammonium Persulphate?
Ammonium persulphate (APS, (NH4)2S2O8, also called ammonium peroxydisulphate) is a white crystalline powder and a strong oxidising agent that dissolves readily in water. This electronic grade is specified at 98.0% minimum assay with chloride at 0.001% maximum, iron at 0.001% maximum, heavy metals (as lead) at 5 ppm maximum and moisture at 0.2% maximum. A 1% solution is mildly acidic, at about pH 3.0–4.0. The low metal and chloride limits matter because ammonium persulphate is used on circuit boards, where contamination causes defects.
How It Etches Copper
Ammonium persulphate is a long-established etchant for copper-clad printed circuit boards and copper films. It oxidises metallic copper into dissolved copper ions, leaving a clean, uniformly etched surface. It also works as a microetch to prepare copper for the next process layer. The same oxidising power makes ammonium persulphate useful as a bleaching agent and as a source of free radicals to start polymerisation reactions.
Ammonium or Sodium Persulphate?
The two persulphates do much the same job, so the choice usually comes down to your process and waste route. Ammonium persulphate introduces ammonium into the bath and the effluent, which can affect copper recovery and waste treatment. Sodium Persulphate contains no ammonium and is often chosen where that is a concern. Recovered copper from etching is the same material used in Copper Sulphate plating baths.
Applications
The main electronics uses are etching and microetching copper on printed circuit boards and in related copper-film processes. Ammonium persulphate is also used as an initiator in emulsion polymerisation, in laboratory work such as preparing polyacrylamide gels, and as an oxidiser in a range of organic reactions. For an alternative oxidiser used in microetching, see Hydrogen Peroxide.
Safety: A Strong Oxidiser and a Sensitiser
Ammonium persulphate is an oxidising solid that can intensify a fire. It irritates skin and the respiratory tract, is harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin, and is a respiratory and skin sensitiser, so repeated exposure can lead to allergy or asthma-like symptoms. ACGIH cites an exposure limit of 0.1 mg per cubic metre (as persulphate).
Control dust with local exhaust ventilation, wear respiratory protection if dust cannot be controlled, and use gloves and eye protection. Anyone who develops breathing symptoms should get medical advice and avoid further exposure. When heated to decomposition, ammonium persulphate gives off toxic fumes including sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and ammonia.
Storage and Incompatibilities
Moisture and heat speed up decomposition, so keep ammonium persulphate in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from wooden floors and combustible materials. It can react explosively if mixed with powdered aluminium or sodium peroxide, and metals such as lead, silver, copper and magnesium can trigger decomposition, so keep it away from them and from reducing agents and alkalis. Follow your local rules for storing oxidising solids and the current safety data sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ammonium persulphate used for in electronics?
It etches and microetches copper on printed circuit boards, giving a clean surface ready for the next layer.
What is the difference between ammonium and sodium persulphate?
They act as similar oxidisers, but ammonium persulphate puts ammonium into the bath and waste stream. Sodium persulphate does not, so it is often preferred where ammonium would complicate treatment.
Is ammonium persulphate dangerous to store?
It is an oxidising solid. Keep it dry, cool and well ventilated, and away from combustibles, powdered metals, reducing agents and alkalis.
Why does moisture content matter?
Moisture accelerates decomposition, so a low-moisture grade keeps better in storage. This grade has a maximum of 0.2% moisture.
What packaging and order quantities are available?
We supply ammonium persulphate from trial quantities through to full bulk orders. Contact us with your required volume for current pricing and lead time.
For further independent reference, see the Wikipedia entry on ammonium persulfate, and browse our full Electronic Chemicals range.
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