Superoxides are usually compounds formed by metal ions and superoxide ions. Its main varieties are sodium superoxide (Na2O4) (also known as NaO2) and potassium superoxide (K2O4) (also known as KO2). Potassium, rubidium, cesium, calcium, strontium and barium can form superoxide, which is characterized by the presence of superoxide ion O2 in the molecule.
Superoxide is easy to deliquescence. When heated, it will release oxygen, which is unstable in nature and has strong oxidation and moisture absorption. When placed in the air, it can react with water and carbon dioxide to generate carbonate and release oxygen at the same time. Based on this property, they are the main raw materials of the oxygen regeneration drug plate, and also used as the oxygen producing propellant column of the isolated oxygen mask. The above reaction equation is as follows (taking K2O4 as an example):
K2O4+2H2O=2KOH+H2O2+O2↑
2K2O4+2CO2=2K2CO3+3O2
