How Do Soaps and Detergents Clean?

Preparation of Soap:
Saponification Reaction
C17H35COOCH2 C17H35COOCH C17H35COOCH2 fat/oil alkali soap + NaOH 3 C17H35COO-Na+ + CH2OH CHOH CH2OH glycerol

An Amphifilic Molecule

C17H35COO Na
nonpolar tail polar head

- Na+

Ionization of Soap in Water

C17H35COO-Na+ H2O C17H35COO- + Na+

- Na+ H2O

Na+

Water molecules attract each other by hydrogen bonding a strong type of IMFA. Thus, it is said that the surface tension of water is very high.

What happens when soap is dissolved in water?

Laminar Micelle
The nonpolar tails of soap molecules interact by van der Waals forces only thus lowering of the surface tension of water. (Soap acts as a surfactant.)

Laminar micelle with other soap molecules in the body of water.

air

soap bubble

Soap bubbles readily form when the water is disturb because the surface tension of water is now weaker.

As more soap is dissolved in water, SPHERICAL MICELLES are formed.

- - - -

- - - -

The spherical micelles are of colloidal dimensions. They remain suspended in the water due to the repulsion of the negatively charged polar heads.

water globules

greasy surface

When water is poured on a greasy or oily surface, no wetting takes place.

When soap is used, wetting of the greasy or oily surface takes place. (Soap acts as a wetting agent.)

Gradually, the grease or oil is removed. It becomes embedded inside the spherical micelles. The soap allows the grease or oil to mix with water. (Soap acts as emulsifying agent.)

Eventually, the surface becomes clean.

How do soaps clean?

By acting as
surface active agent (surfactant)

wetting agent
emulsifying agent

What is the difference between soap and detergent?

SOAP C17H35COO Na
+

DETERGENT C17H35OSO2-Na+ sulfonate salt C17H35OSO3-Na+ sulfate salt

carboxylate salt

C17H35COO Na + Mg / Ca
soluble in water

+2

+2

hardness ions

(C17H35COO )2Mg/(C17H35COO )2Ca

SCUM
insoluble in water no cleansing power

+ C17H35OSO2 Na + C17H35OSO3 Na

Mg / Ca+2
hardness ions

+2

soluble in water

NO REACTION
Detergents are not precipitated by the hardness ions, Mg+2/Ca+2; they retain their cleansing action even when used with hard water.

Types of Detergent
ABS - alkyl benzene sulfonate/sulfate
R SO3-Na+/
nonbiodegradable
- + SO4 Na

LAS - linear alkyl sulfonate/sulfate

R SO3-Na+/
- + SO4 Na biodegradable

Types of Detergents
1. Cationic detergent 2. Anionic detergent 3. Non-ionic detergent

Types of Detergents
1. Automatic dishwashing detergent 2. Hand dishwashing detergent 3. Enzyme detergent 4. Low-phosphate detergent

Automatic Dishwashing Detergent

Alkaline in nature with pH 10.5 to 12.0 Corrosive depending on composition, concentration and physical form May cause skin irritation or burns Contains phosphates Powdered detergents more difficult to swallow May contain sodium carbonate

Less toxic than automatic dishwashing detergents Combinations of anionic and non-ionic detergents (glycols, alcohols, and salts) May cause irritation to mouth, throat, and gastro-intestinal tract

Hand Dishwashing Detergents

Enzyme Detergents
Used in laundry detergents and pre-soaks to loosen soil and remove stains Enzymes obtained from selected strains of bacteria May have irritating and sensitizing properties Exposure may cause asthma and dematitis Granulated detergents, which encapsulate the enzyme, are less toxic than powdered formulations

Components of Detergent
1. Surfactants (Surface Active Agents) 2. Builders 3. Anti-redeposition agents 4. Corrosion inhibitor 5. Bleach 6. TAED (Tetra Acetyl Ethylene Diamine) 7. Phosphonate 8. Fluorescers 9. Lather Control Agents 10. Enzymes 11. Fragrances 12. Preservative

Surfactants (Surface Active Agents)

To lower the surface tension of water Allows water to spread across the fabric making it wetter

Builders
Phosphates, carbonates, silicates, citrates and zeolites Combines with minerals which would interfere with cleaning Soften the water

Antiredeposition Agents
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) To minimize redeposition of dirt that has already been removed by washing

Corrosion Inhibitor
Sodium silicate To protect the appliance surfaces against corrosion To protect china and metal utensils cleaned in automatic dishwasher

Bleach
Ingredient to break down the natural color that constitute the stain Sodium perborate (produced from borax and hydrogen peroxide)

TAED
Tetra Acetyl Ethylene Diamine
A more active bleach than hydrogen peroxide Maximum efficiency between 50o 60 oC

Phosphonate
To delay the decomposition of the oxygen bleach until the appropriate stage in the laundry program

Fluorescers
To create a visual whitening or brightening effect To offset the yellowing of white cellulosics by absorbing ultraviolet light and reemitting it as visible light in the blue region Increases the total amount of light reflected by a surface giving a whiter white effect

Optical brighteners Whitening agents

Lather Control Agents Suds Suppressor

To prevent excess foaming which might affect operation of the machine

Enzymes
Protease, lipase, cellulase, amylase Protease breaks down proteinaceous stains such as blood, glass and egg Lipase enhances the removal of grease/fats such as butter, lipstick and mayonnaise Amylase breaks down starchy substances

Fragrances
To give the product a pleasant or distinctive aroma To mask any unpleasant wash water odor May be synthetic or naturally occurring materials

Preservative
To protect the product against the natural effects of ageing such as decay, discoloration, oxidation and bacterial degradation To protect color and fragrance

Which one do you prefer for cleaning soap or detergent?

THE END