Benzoates in Fireworks

1.0 History of Fireworks

Many historians believe that fireworks originally were developed in the second century B.C. in ancient
Luoyang, China. It is believed that the first natural "firecrackers" were bamboo stalks mixed with potassium
nitrate, sulphur and charcoal to produce a black, flaky powder – the first “gunpowder” that when thrown in
a fire, would explode with a bang because of the overheating of the hollow air pockets in the bamboo.
Fireworks made their way to Europe in the 13th century and by the 15th century they were widely used for
religious festivals and public entertainment.

2.0 Problems faced due to fireworks

2.1 Air Pollution

The bright colours and effects in fireworks are produced by a cocktail of chemicals. Fireworks emit light,
heat and sound energy along with carbon dioxide and other gases and residues. The exact emissions will
depend on individual the firework, but as gunpowder is a main component, sulphur compounds are
emitted, along with small amounts of particulates, metal oxides and organic compounds (which can include
minute amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans). Approximately 5 -14% of dioxin
emissions are produced around Deepawali festival in India. Current research indicates that deposits of
pollutants from fireworks do not pose a risk to soil or water.

Benzoates in Fireworks
2.2 Noise Pollution
Bursting Fireworks not only cause pollution but also it creates noise pollution too. According to a report of
the ministry of environment and forest, an increasing trend of noise pollution has been observed in the
major cities of the country. To regulate and control noise pollution, the government has issued various
notifications under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The Supreme Court, in September 2001,
passed an interim order to comply with the notification of the ministry, issued on October 5, 1999, to
control noise emitting from fire crackers. The noise shall not exceed 125 dB(AI) and 145 dB(C)pk.

2.3 Dry Waste

Fireworks also bring waste like papers, plastics; firework covers which put additional burden on existing
waste management systems of the government.

2.4 The Perchlorates problem

Perchlorates, ClO4 - make excellent oxidizers: high oxygen amount, good stability, low cost, good reactivity
with fuels, great for producing red and green colours.

Problem: high stability of perchlorates means that they persist in the environment much longer and are
currently linked to thyroid disorders, replacing iodide (I) in the body. Alternatives are being explored,
such as nitrates for commercial fireworks and periodate (IO4 -) etc.

Benzoates in Fireworks
3.0 Use of Benzoate in Fireworks
Using benzoates in fireworks provides safer alternatives to existing chemicals used in fireworks. Use of
Benzoates as a colouring agent in fireworks was discussed by D.Bleser in 1989 (D. Bleser, “New Electric
Purple,” American Fireworks News, No. 89, 1989). In this discussion, D.Bleser recommended use of
Benzoates in fireworks based on its ability to serve as both colour agent element (Cu, Sr, Ba) and fuel
(benzoate).

For example, while using colouring agent copper (II) carbonate in fireworks, it is only the copper that is
useful in producing colour. Large amount of fuel is required to burn copper (III) carbonate to free copper
from its carbonate ion. In addition, the flame temperature is lowered, which in turn results in less coloured
light output.

It would be preferred if the copper could be made available without having to pay the full energy cost of
freeing it from the carbonate ion. One way to do this is to chemically combine copper with a fuel such as the
benzoate ion. Then, when the fuel is consumed, copper will be left over and ready to make the blue color

Benzoates in Fireworks
4.0 Benzoate Salts Available
Dr. J. Pharmachem Pvt. Ltd., manufacturers several benzoates salts suitable for fireworks. Most of these
benzoate are available in fine powder form (D 100 less than 100 microns) and low moisture ( less than
0.5% ) making these benzoates ideal for dry mixing ( without grinding) ready for use in fireworks.

Benzoate Appearance Colour

Aluminium Benzoate White powder White and silver sparkles
Barium Benzoate White powder Green Colour
Calcium Benzoate White powder Orange Colour
Copper Benzoate Blue powder Blue Colour
Lithium Benzoate White powder Red Colour
Potassium Benzoate White powder Whistling Effect
Sodium Benzoate White powder Gold Or Yellow Colour
Strontium Benzoate White powder Red Colour
Zinc Benzoate White powder To create smoke effect

Benzoates in Fireworks
4.1 Examples of benzoate salts in fireworks

ROUND STARS AND SHELLS - B15

Ingredients % Composition
Ammonium perchlorate 40.0
Potassium perchlorate 20.0
Copper oxychloride 16.0
Red gum 8.0
Potassium benzoate 6.0
Hexamine 5.0
Parlon 2.5
Saran 2.5
TOTAL 100
Dextrin +4.0

B16

Ingredients % Composition
Ammonium perchlorate 82.0
Copper benzoate 18.0
TOTAL 100
Dextrin +5%

NEW BLUE

Ingredients % Composition
Ammonium perchlorate 82
Copper benzoate 18
TOTAL 100
Bind with 1% nitrocellulose and make pumped or cut firework stars

Benzoates in Fireworks
NEW ELECTRIC PURPLE

Ingredients % Composition
Ammonium perchlorate 68
Copper Benzoate 8
Strontium Carbonate 12
Magnalium, 200-400 mesh 5
Hexamine 7
TOTAL 100
Dextrin 5%
By adding 5% potassium dichromate and 1% boric acid the side reactions were prevented.

ROCKET PROPELLANT (WHISTLING) (A)

Ingredients % Composition
Potassium perchlorate (fine mesh) 64
Potassium benzoate 32
Iron oxide (Red) 1
Petroleum jelly 3
TOTAL 100

ROCKET PROPELLANT (WHISTLING) (B)

Ingredients % Composition
Potassium perchlorate (fine mesh) 76
Potassium benzoate 23
Iron oxide (Red) 1
TOTAL 100
Petroleum jelly +2.5

MATRIX COMET

Ingredients % Composition
Potassium chlorate, passing 200 mesh 50
Barium benzoate, passing 100 mesh 23

Benzoates in Fireworks
 Barium carbonate, passing 200 mesh 10
Exfoliated mica, pass 80 mesh, hold 120 mesh 10
Bentonite clay - wyoming, passing 200 mesh 6
Guar gum fine WW250F, passing 200 mesh 1

Catalyst ( Zinc Oxide, Aluminum Oxide, Magnesium Oxide, Bismuth Trioxide/Copper Chromite / Copper
Oxide (black) / Copper Oxychloride)

References
1. http://www.americanpyro.com/history-of-fireworks
2. https://www.ashford.gov.uk/media/5164/fireworks.pdf
3. https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-Effects-of-Fireworks-on-
Environment?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=google_rich_qa&utm_campaign=google_rich_qa
4. https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/events/popular-chemsitry/Slides/2012-06-28-
advanced-pyrotechnics.pdf
5. http://pyrodata.com/compositions/Rocket-propellant-Whistling
6. https://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/topic/8900-colored-matrix-comets/

Benzoates in Fireworks
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Benzoates in Fireworks