Nitric Acid

Nitric acid (HNO₃) is a highly corrosive and strong mineral acid. It is a colorless or yellowish liquid due to the presence of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) as a decomposition product. It emits toxic fumes and has a pungent, suffocating odor. Nitric acid is a powerful oxidizing agent and reacts with metals, non-metals, and organic compounds.

Applications:

• Chemical Synthesis: Nitric acid is widely used in the chemical industry as a reagent for the synthesis of various compounds, including explosives (e.g., nitroglycerin, TNT), fertilizers (e.g., ammonium nitrate), and specialty chemicals.
• Metal Processing: Nitric acid is used for metal etching, cleaning, and pickling in the metal processing industry. It is employed to remove oxide layers, scale, and impurities from metal surfaces prior to plating, coating, or welding.
• Laboratory Reagent: Nitric acid is commonly used as a laboratory reagent for analytical and synthetic chemistry purposes, such as acid digestion, sample preparation, and pH adjustment.
• Rocket Propulsion: Concentrated nitric acid, often in combination with other fuels, is used as an oxidizer in rocket propulsion systems, particularly in storable liquid rocket engines.
• Fertilizer Production: Nitric acid is a key component in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), which are essential for modern agriculture.