19 Potassium Hydroxide Uses: Facts You Should Know!

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Potassium hydroxide, alias caustic potash, has wide applications in manufacturing fertilizers and potassium-containing detergents. Let us discuss some of the uses of KOH.

KOH is used in several industries-

  • Electronic Industries
  • Agriculture industry
  • Food industry
  • Thermal industry
  • Cosmetics industry
  • Cotton industry
  • Research industry
  • Petroleum Industry

In this article, let us look into different applications of KOH in detail.

Electronic Industries

  • In liquid form, KOH shows high conductivity, so it acts as an electrolyte in the manufacturing of batteries.
  • In semiconductors, KOH is used for fabrication purposes.
  • For texturing processes like silicon wafer smoothing, KOH is used.
  • In graphic techniques of lithography, KOH plays a major role.

Agriculture industry

  • In the agricultural industry, KOH is used for the manufacturing of liquid fertilizers.
  • In identifying fungi species KOH plays a crucial role.
  • In the removal of animal hair during the tanning process, KOH is used as a reagent.

Food Industry

  • KOH adjusts PH in food industries and acts as a thickening agent and stabilizer.
  • For the cleaning purpose of disinfecting surfaces, KOH is used in the food industry.

Thermal Industry

  • Being a good catalyst KOH is used for the process of hydrothermal gasification.
  • To enhance the yield of hydrogen formed during the reaction KOH is used; Like for producing coke from coal.
  • To improve the gas yield and amount of hydrogen during the reaction.

Cosmetics Industry

  • In soap manufacturing and electroplating and KOH acts as a varnish and paint remover.
  • In the cosmetics industry, KOH acts as cuticle removers.
  • In the saponification process, KOH is used to convert organic fats into soaps.

Cotton Industry

In mercerizing cotton, KOH is applicated in the Cotton industry.

Research Industry

  • For potassium-containing compounds, KOH acts as a precursor.
  • In laboratories in industries, schools, universities, and research organizations KOH is used for alkalimetric titrations.
  • Solvents like amines and pyridines are dried by using KOH.

Petroleum Industry

As a petroleum refining compound, KOH is applicated in the Petroleum industry.

Conclusion :

KOH is a metal hydroxide called lye, potassium lye, and acts as a strong base. It is hygroscopic and highly stable. It acts as the best solvent in acid-base equilibrium.