Potassium superoxide (KO2) is used as a source of oxygen in submarines, space shuttles and in emergency breathing apparatus such as oxygen masks. Such masks are used in rescue work in mines and in other areas where the air is so deficient in oxygen that an artificial atmosphere must be generated.
The moisture of the breath reacts with superoxide to liberate oxygen, and at that same time the potassium hydroxide formed removes carbon dioxides as it is exhaled thereby allowing the atmosphere in the mask to be continuously regenerated.
4KO2(s) + 2H2O(g) → 4KOH(aq) + 3O2(g)
KH + CO2(g) → KHCO3(s)
KO2 also combines directly with CO2 forming K2CO3 and with CO2 & moisture forming KHCO3
4KO2 + 2CO2 → 2K2CO3 + 3O2;
4KO2 + 4CO2 + 2H2O → 4KHCO3 + 3O2
