Chemical Formula: KI
Grades: BP/EP/USP and ACS. Potassium iodide is available as a crystal, flake, pellet or solution.
Packaging: Potassium iodide is available in 25 kilo nett drums. Potassium iodide 45% liquid is available in various drum sizes as per customers requirements.
Availability: Normally a stock item.
Material: Potassium iodide is a chemical compound that takes the form of an odorless white crystalline powder. It is created by combining potassium hydroxide with iodine. Pure potassium iodide is white in colour. If the product appears to have turned a slight yellow, this is an indication that it has been exposed to carbon dioxide and turned to iodine.
Iodine is absolutely crucial for thyroid glands to operate normally, but many people suffer from iodine deficiency. Low iodine intake is a problem shared by both animals and humans, and which potassium iodine aims to rectify. To aid animals, potassium iodide can simply be added to their feed. Humans meanwhile have two options for boosting their iodine intake. Potassium iodide can be taken orally as a dietary supplement, typically available over-the-counter. It is available in both tablet and liquid form. For this purpose, potassium iodide is featured on the World Health Organisation’s List of Essential Medicines. Alternatively, people can ensure that they purchase iodised table salt. In certain countries or regions, the vast majority of salt is actually iodised as part of public health measures. This step is typically taken in areas further inland where the population suffers from a lack of seafood in their diet or iodine deficient soil. Most people consume iodised salt without even realising it, it is that ubiquitous. Rice and flour are other common food items that are regularly fortified with iodine in developing countries.
Potassium iodide is also a common form of treatment for hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland overproduces the hormone thyroxine. An excess of this hormone can result in changes to the body’s metabolism, causing weight loss and an irregular heartbeat.
An additional medical use of potassium iodide is for the treatment of open wounds, such as cuts to the skin. First aid kits commonly contain iodine as a disinfectant.
Combined with silver nitrate, potassium iodide produces silver iodide. This is a critical compound for the success of film photography.
Alongside copper iodide, potassium iodide is a key heat stabilising agent in the production of nylon. It plays a vital role in situations where the nylon fibres are subject to problematically high temperatures. For example, a common use of nylon fibres is in the tyres of your standard family car. Such tyres can quickly reach temperatures of 120⁰. Potassium iodide stabilises nylon up to 170º.