Blog >> Chemical Components in detergent
Detergents, or synthetic soap, are made from different chemical that provides a variety of properties that increase the cleaning property of the detergent or to serve a specific purpose.
They are mainly,
- Surfactants
- Builders & Additives
- Stabilisers & Fillers
- Preparation Chemicals
Today, we will be looking into surfactants and some preparation chemicals used to produce raw chemicals necessary in manufacturing of detergent.
Surfactants
Surfactants, or surface active agents, are compounds that lower the surface tension between 2 liquid or between a liquid and a solid. This breaks the interface between the water and oil / dirt. Once isolated, surfactants hold the undesired oils and dirt in suspension, which allows its eventual removal from the object.
This property is conferred by the hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups that exist together on surfactant molecules. Some common examples of surfactants in detergent are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate & Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates.
Take Sodium Lauryl Sulfate as an example, the hydrocarbon tail attracts the water-insoluble oil or dirt, while the hydrophilic head interacts with water.
Molecule of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Surfactants in detergent then remove the oil from the fabric surface and forms a micelle (figure below). This holds the oil / dirt together and prevents redeposition on the fabric, until it gets removed in the washing process.
Preparation Chemicals
Preparation chemicals are used to produce other raw chemicals for use in the manufacturing of detergent. Dodecylbenzene, for example, is used as a precursor chemical to make Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates. Preparation chemicals often offer other important properties that aid in the manufacturing process. For instance, Caustic Soda and Potassium Hydroxide are used to neutralise Sulfonic Acid during the manufacturing of detergent. Such strong bases are also crucial during Saponification of soap making.
The surfactants and preparation chemicals used in detergents helps in the manufacturing of detergent, to produce the most effective cleaning agent in keeping our household clean and families healthy.
By: Sinyee
Previously on: Different manufacturing process of detergent and market trends
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