Zinc Chloride (ZnCl2) [Definition, characteristics & uses]

Zinc chloride is a hygroscopic chemical compound. Some of its synonyms include butter of zinc and zinc(II) chloride. It has a chemical formula of ZnCl₂ or Cl₂Zn. It has multiple industrial and consumer uses. These include use in chemical synthesis and textile processing just to mention a few. It can be found either as a solution or in its anhydrous form. Anhydrous zinc chloride normally appears as white crystalline or granular solid while its solution form appears as a colourless liquid which is mildly corrosive to metals. The chemical is odourless and has a high boiling point of about 732 degrees Celsius and a melting point of approximately 290 degrees Celsius.

Some of the applications of Zinc chloride include:

1. It is used as a fireproofing agent in fabrics such as Febreze.
2. It is used as a disinfectant. It is also found in some antiseptic mouthwashes.
3. It is used as a herbicide for foliar treatment on areas such as sidewalks and fencerows.
4. It is used to treat against pathogenic bacteria in toilet bowls and urinals.
5. It is used as a bacteriostat.
6. It is used in wood preservatives.
7. It is used as a primary agent in smoke bombs used for crowd dispersal, in firefighting exercises and the military for screening purposes.
8. It is applied in solder fluxes and batteries.
9. It is used in mercerizing cotton.
10. It is used in as an antiseptic and as a deodorant.
11. It is used as a dehydrator in organic synthesis.
12. It is used in rubber vulcanization.
13. It is used in oil refining.
14. It is used in golf balls.
15. It is used in fingerprint detection.
16. It is used to keep the purity of water due to its hygroscopic nature.
17. It is used in the separation of oil from water.
18. It is used in the production of resins.
19. It is used as a mordant in dyeing and printing textiles.
20. It is used in the manufacture and preservation of glue.
21. It is used in welding due to its ability to dissolve metals.