Copper(II) Sulfate
Minerals & Trace Elements
Nutritional Enhancers
7758-98-7
E519
CuSO₄ (monohydrate or pentahydrate)
$3.89 ~ $5.83
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/bag
One unit of:25kg/bag
25kg/bag
Product Info
What is Copper(II) Sulfate?
Copper(II) Sulfate is a blue crystalline inorganic salt used primarily as a source of the essential trace element copper in nutritional supplements and animal feed, and sometimes functions as a processing aid or color fixative.
How is Copper(II) Sulfate made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw Material Reaction | Dissolve scrap copper in a heated solution of dilute sulfuric acid while sparging with air (oxygen). | Control acid concentration, temperature (e.g., 60-80°C), and airflow rate. The reaction is an oxidation process (2Cu + 2H₂SO₄ + O₂ → 2CuSO₄ + 2H₂O), and air provides the required oxygen. |
| 2 | Purification & Filtration | Pump the hot copper sulfate solution through a filter press to remove solid impurities. | Ensure the resulting filtrate is a clear, bright blue solution, free of any unreacted copper or suspended solids. The clarity is a key quality indicator at this stage. |
| 3 | Concentration | Heat the filtered solution in an evaporator to boil off excess water until the point of saturation is reached. | Monitor the solution's specific gravity or density (often measured in degrees Baumé) to determine the correct saturation point. Avoid over-concentration to prevent premature crystallization. |
| 4 | Crystallization | Transfer the hot, concentrated solution into large crystallizer tanks and allow it to cool under controlled conditions. | The cooling rate is the most critical parameter for controlling crystal size and purity. Slower, controlled cooling results in larger, more uniform crystals of Copper(II) Sulfate Pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O). |
| 5 | Crystal Separation | Separate the formed crystals from the remaining liquid (mother liquor) using an industrial centrifuge. | Control centrifuge spin time and speed to maximize the removal of mother liquor. The liquor is often recycled back into the process to recover residual copper sulfate. |
| 6 | Drying | Gently dry the washed crystals in a fluid bed or rotary dryer using warm air. | Drying temperature must be kept low (typically below 70°C) to prevent the loss of the five molecules of water of hydration, which would turn the blue crystals into a pale powder. Monitor final moisture content. |
| 7 | Sieving & Packaging | Pass the dried crystals through screens to sort them by size into different commercial grades. | Verify screen mesh sizes are correct for each product grade. Package the final product in sealed, moisture-proof bags or containers to prevent caking and maintain quality during storage. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 7758-98-7 |
| Chemical Formula | CuSO₄ (monohydrate or pentahydrate) |
| Solubility | 203 g/L water at 20 °C (highly soluble); insoluble in ethanol |
| Storage Conditions | store in cool, dry, ventilated area protected from light; +5 °C to +30 °C; hygroscopic |
| Shelf Life | 36 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
used as copper fortifier in animal feed
food supplements
processing aid in cheese
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Copper(II) Sulfate |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Nutrient Supplement; Processing Aid; Firming Agent |
| Key Ingredients | Copper(II) Sulfate (CuSO₄) |
| Mechanism of Action | Provides bioavailable cupric ions (Cu²⁺) which act as an essential cofactor for metalloenzymes involved in metabolic pathways (e.g., cytochrome c oxidase). In processing, it can catalyze specific reactions or inhibit undesirable enzymes. In plant-based products, Cu²⁺ ions cross-link with pectic substances to form insoluble copper pectates, reinforcing tissue structure. |
| Application Effect in Product | Nutritional fortification of infant formulas, dietary supplements, and specialized foods. Acts as a processing aid in winemaking and brewing to control fermentation and remove unwanted sulfur compounds. Historically used as a firming agent for processed fruits and vegetables to improve textural integrity. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper(II) Sulfate | Fungicide / Algaecide / Root Killer | Blue crystalline solid (CuSO₄·5H₂O), highly water-soluble, broad-spectrum biocide. | Highly effective and fast-acting against algae and many fungi; widely available and relatively inexpensive. | High toxicity to fish and aquatic invertebrates; can accumulate in soil to toxic levels; corrosive to metal equipment. | Controlling algae in ponds and lakes; preventing fungal diseases (e.g., blight, mildew); killing tree roots in sewer lines. | For potent, broad-spectrum control of algae or fungi where rapid results are needed and environmental runoff can be contained. |
| Iron(II) Sulfate | Moss Killer / Soil Amendment | Greenish crystalline solid (FeSO₄·7H₂O), provides iron to soil, darkens turf color. | Excellent moss killer; corrects iron deficiency (chlorosis) in plants; lower aquatic toxicity than copper sulfate. | Can cause severe rust-colored staining on concrete, stone, and fabrics; less effective as a broad-spectrum fungicide. | Eliminating moss in lawns; greening up turf; correcting soil iron deficiency in acid-loving plants. | For lawn care, specifically to kill moss and fertilize with iron without the high toxicity of copper. |
| Zinc Sulfate | Fungicide / Nutrient Supplement | White crystalline solid (ZnSO₄), provides essential zinc micronutrient. | Corrects zinc deficiency in crops while providing some fungal and moss control. | Narrower fungicidal spectrum than copper sulfate; can be phytotoxic if over-applied. | Agricultural use on crops in zinc-deficient soils (e.g., fruit trees, pecans); moss control on roofs. | When addressing a specific zinc nutrient deficiency is as important as controlling certain fungal diseases. |
| Potassium Permanganate | Oxidizing Agent / Disinfectant | Dark purple crystalline solid (KMnO₄), strong oxidizer. | Powerful oxidizer that destroys a wide range of organic compounds and pathogens; removes iron and manganese from water. | Intense purple staining on skin, clothes, and surfaces; must be handled with care as a strong oxidizer; can be toxic if misused. | Water treatment for taste, odor, and color removal; disinfection in aquaculture; chemical oxidation processes. | For water treatment applications where chemical oxidation of contaminants and disinfection are the primary goals. |
| Bordeaux Mixture | Fungicide / Bactericide | A suspension of copper sulfate and slaked lime in water. | Excellent adhesion to plant surfaces, providing long-lasting, rain-resistant protection; generally safer for plants than copper sulfate alone. | Must be freshly mixed before use; can clog spray nozzles; leaves a visible blue residue on foliage and fruit. | Preventative treatment for fungal and bacterial diseases on grapevines, fruit trees, and vegetables (e.g., downy mildew, fire blight). | For durable, weather-resistant, preventative disease control in horticulture and viticulture. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
COA and monograph available
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
MSDS available
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications