31P NMR spectroscopic studies of the influence of the environment in the degradation process of the Grahamʹs salt

The “Grahamʹs salt” is a vitreous sodium polyphosphate with a general formula of Na(n+2)PnO(3n+1). It is used in the ceramics industry as a deflocculant additive in a matrix of sodium silicate with different SiO2:Na2O ratios. The influence of the environment in which the Grahamʹs salt is usually placed on its degradation into smaller particles has been studied by 31P NMR spectroscopy at several temperatures on solutions with 7% of Grahamʹs salt in sodium silicate with Rw = 1.6, 2.0, 3.3, in sodium carbonate 0.15 M, in sodium hydroxide 0.10 M and 1.0 M and in water. The signals in the 31P NMR spectra of Grahamʹs salt in D2O, depending on their chemical shift δ (ppm) and multiplicity, have been assigned to the different phosphorous atoms of the skeleton of the several polyphosphates that are present in the solution. The integration of these signals at different temperatures has enabled the collection of kinetic and thermodynamic data: kinetic constants k (s−1), activation energy Ea, ΔH‡ and ΔS‡. Results indicate that the environment is a factor which favours the degradation of polyphosphates, since with increasing basicity of deflocculating solutions the rate of degradation is faster. White gel obtained as a final product of the degradation process of Grahamʹs salt has been analyzed with 31P NMR spectroscopic measurements identifying orthophosphate and pyrophosphate as the main final species of the degradation of Grahamʹs salt.