HOW TO MAKE SALT RUST OR: NEW ANTICAKEVG AGENTS FOR SALT

摘要

A new class of anti caking agents for salt (sodium chloride) based on metal-organic complexes has been found. A mechanism for the action of this class of anti caking agents is proposed. The mechanism consists of the following steps: a stable metal-organic complex is formed, preventing the precipitation of the metal. At the {111} sodium chloride surface the complex decomposes and the metal ions are deposited on the surface. The metal ions then form an oxide layer on the sodium chloride surface, thus preventing the further recrystallization and caking of sodium chloride. To illustrate the difference of the proposed mechanism with that of the "classical" anti caking agent ferrocyanide, the mechanism for the anti caking effect of ferrocyanide is also discussed.