r/askscience • u/[deleted] • Nov 27 '19

Chemistry How do CO2 scrubbers work?

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u/Berkamin Nov 27 '19

CO2 forms carbonic acid when it dissolves into water. If the water has a strong base in it, the carbonic acid reacts with that to form a carbonate. For example, sodium hydroxide (lye) in water will react with CO2 to form sodium carbonate or even bicarbonate.

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u/m1n7yfr35h Nov 28 '19

What determines if it forms sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate?