INTRODUCTION
•These are synthetic organic chemicals which promote better surface
tension lowering than soaps.It has similar molecular structures and
properties as soap. Although the cleansing action is similar, the
detergents do not react as readily with hard water ions of calcium
and magnesium.
•Due to excessive foaming, it is unable to reduce organic content of
sewage effluent. Biodegradation of detergent is an important
environmental factor
Chemical Characteristics
•Synthetic detergents dissolve or tend to dissolve in water or other
solvents. For this they require distinct chemical characteristics.
Hydrophilic (water loving) groups and hydrophobic (water hating)
groupsin their molecular structure to help the detergent in it’s
“detergency” action.
•The basic component of a synthetic detergent is a 'surface active
agent' ('surfactant') which binds to grease and dirt and keeps it
suspended in water.
Components of Detergent
1.Surfactants
•Any compound that affect (reduce) surface tension when dissolved
in water or water solution or which similarly affects interfacial tension
between two liquids is called surfactants.
2.Additives(to improve cleaning
performance)
•Additives may include bleaches, bleach activators, antistatic agents,
fabric softeners, optical brighteners, antiredeposition agents, and
fillers.
S.
No.
Additives Function
1Sodium silicate Corrosion inhibitor with slight building action
2Carboxymethyl celluose Antiredeposition of soil
3Fluorescent dye Fabric or Optical brightening
4Tarnish inhibitors Prevention of silverware tarnish (protect metal)
5
Perfume and sometimes dye or
pigments
Aesthetic, improved product characteristics
6Bluings Improve whiteness of fabrics
7
Carbanilids, salicylanilides and
cationics
Antimicrobial agent
8Peroxygen Bleaches
9Enzymes Decomposes or render the particles easily removable
10 Water Filler and binder
3.Builders
•It boosts detergent powder. These are more than water
softeners which does not react with water hardening ions
like calcium and magnesium
S. No. Builders Function
1
Polyphosphates
(a)Sodium tripolyphosphates
(b)Tetrasodium pyrophosphates
Removal of inorganic soil,
detergent - building
2 Sodium sulfate
Filler with building action in
soft water
3 Soda ash
Filler with some building
action
Types of detergent
•Anionic
•Cationic
•Non – ionic
•Detergent builders
ANIONIC
•The molecular structure of R is important in determining whether a
compound is biologically soft. Straight chain normal paraffin
structure gives a soft ABS (Alkyl benzene sulfonate) whereas a
branched or isoparaffin structure resists biodegradation. Generally
made up of sodium salts of an organic sulfate or sulfonate.
A)Sulfated fatty alcohols:
The sulfated compounds are quite stable in alkali,
acid and hard water
R.OH + HO.SO
3
H RO.SO
3
H + H
2
O
B)Sulfonates:
These are low prices detergent which are not
as stable as sulfates and require more additives in final
compounding to improve performance
C)Sulfated ester and acids:
Good stability in hard water, but not under
acid and alkali conditions.
Cationic (give R
+
in water)
Have no strong detergent characteristics, but have
germicidal properties
Non – ionic
•Alkyl-aryl-ethylene oxide derivatives
•Aliphatic polyhydric alcohol esters
•Fatty acid amides
•Such compounds produce little foam but posses excellent soil
removal and grease emulsification characteristics.
Detergent builders
It possesses a net zero charge arising from the presence of
equal numbers of +1 and -1 charged chemical groups.
Examples include CHAPS
• Phosphates such as sodium tripolyphosphate and
tetrasodium pyrophosphate used as much as 30-50% in
detergent formulations to extend foam
•Sodium carboxycellulose (1-3%) to improve soil and dirt
suspension
•Fluorescent dyes as brighteners
•Sodium silicate to avoid corrosion in washing machines
Uses and Relation to
Properties
•They produce less foam than other detergents. As such,
they find use in applications where low foam is desired,
such as dishwashing liquids. They can be added to other
detergents to provide greater stability. They are used in
applications such as paints, adhesives, pesticides and
cosmetics, as improved contact between polar and non-
polar substances is required.