Question

A compound which can be used in space vehicles both to absorb ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$and liberate ${\mathrm{O}}_2$ is?

Answer 1

• The compound that can be used in space vehicles both to absorb ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ and liberate ${\mathrm{O}}_2$is ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$( sodium peroxide)
• Alkali metals burn in air to form a different kinds of oxides so when the sodium metal is heated with an excess amount of air it results in the formation of peroxides.
• Sodium peroxide is widely used as an oxidizing agent and also used as a source of oxygen in space vehicles.
• Sodium peroxide reacts with carbon dioxide present in the air supply in spacecraft resulting in the formation of sodium carbonate and liberating oxygen gas which is used for breathing purposes.
• $2{\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+2{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$
• The name of the compound is sodium peroxide. Sodium peroxide is colourless when pure and yellow solid when sodium is heated in excess oxygen.
• It is also used in scuba gear as well as submarines for breathing purposes.

Hence the compound that can be used in space vehicles both to absorb ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ and liberate ${\mathrm{O}}_2$is ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$( sodium peroxide)