Question

Would NaHCO3+CH3COOH->H2CO3+NaCH3COO be a viable alternate to the reaction used to inflate an automobiles airbag?

Answer 1

Generally,nitroge gas is used to inflate air bags of automobiles, which is an inert gas produces by the decomposition of sodium azide,NaN3.It is the decelerator sensors that signals the gas generator to ignite and generate heat.This heat causes decomposition of NaN3.

Other solids placed in the air bag include,KNO3,potassium nitrate and silica SiO2 that react with Na, produced as a by -product of the decomposition of NaN3.The final products are all harmless salts of potassium and sodium in solid state, K2SiO3,Na2SiO3

2NaN3(s)----->3N2(g) +Na(l)

10Na(l)+2KNO3(s)----->N2(g)+K2O (s)+Na2O(s)

Na2O+SiO2--->K2iO3(s)

K2O+SiO2--->K2SiO3

Thus,the given reaction is not a viable reaction to inflate air bag as

1) CH3COOH or acetic acid is in liquid state (reactant) also the products H2CO3 or carbonic acid and water, liquid state ,which is not easy to handle. Acetic aci with a low boiling point of 118.1 deg C may start boiling ,evaporate or even combusted at the high heat generated by the reaction

H2CO3 <--->CO2(g)+H2O(l)

The carbon dioxide gas produced may undergo reversible reaction to produce carbonic acid .It is not a decomposition reaction like that of NaN3 ,which is irreversible,

So,with lower amount of CO2,the air bags may not properly inflate air bag.