Sodium thiosulfate is a colorless to white crystalline solid or powder with no odor and a cooling, bitter taste. The compound usually occurs in the form of the pentahydrate (Na2S2O3·5H2O).
Sodium thiosulfate is an antichlor, a compound that reacts with and neutralizes excess chlorine used in some industrial, commercial, or other applications.
Two other popular antichlors are sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) and sodium sulfite (Na2SO3). Some of the most important applications of antichlors are in the production of pulp and paper and in the textile industry.
After pulp, paper, or a textile has been treated with chlorine to bleach the material, an antichlor such as sodium thiosulfate is added to remove any remaining chlorine from the reaction vat. The antichlor itself is then removed by washing with water.
Other Names
Sodium hyposulfite; thiosulfic acid sodium salt
Uses
1) Used as fixer in photography;
2) Used as reducing agent in chemical industry;
3) Used as dechlorination agent after bleaching of cotton fabrics, and as dechlorination agent of paper pulp;
4) Used as scouring agent, disinfector and decolorant in medical industry;
5) It is also used in electroplating and leather-making industry.
