Definition and Area of Use :
Potassium nitrate is known as a potassium compound with the formula KNO3. Potassium nitrate is mainly used in fertilizers, rocket propellants and fireworks production. If mixed with sulfur and charcoal in a certain amount, it brings black powder to the media. When used as a food additive, it is called E252 in the European Union standards. It is obtained as a result of the double decomposition of the sodium nitrate and potassium chloride compounds in solution. Sodium chloride, whose solubility does not change much in hot conditions, precipitates from the mixture of boiling solutions. Potassium nitrate, which has a higher solubility and remains in solution, becomes crystalline as a result of cooling. Potassium nitrate, which is among the three components of black powder, plays an oxidizing role in the black powder compound, in addition to charcoal dust and sulfur.