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A Superficial Overview of Detergency

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J. A. Poce-Fatou

Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Polígono del Río San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

J. Chem. Educ., 2006, 83 (8), p 1147

DOI: 10.1021/ed083p1147

Publication Date (Web): August 1, 2006

Section:

Surface Active Agents and Detergents

Abstract

An introduction to a study of detergency is based on the role played by surface-active agents, that is, surfactants. Typical concepts of surface chemistry such as the work of adhesion, Young and Young–Dupré equations, or the spreading coefficient are used to explain the mechanisms involved in the removal of both liquid and particulate dirt. The role of emulsions, micelles, and lather is also analyzed. By means of physicochemical arguments, this article justifies the use of bath sponges, explains how washing machines work, or why it is easier to do the washing up if the dishes have been previously immersed in water. The article also includes general considerations about the nature of the surfactants used in commercial products. It will provide instructors and students with an interest in surface chemistry a link between theoretical principles and practical explanations of everyday activities.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Physical Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Textbooks / Reference Books

Keywords (Subject):

Colloids

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This article has been cited by 2 ACS Journal articles (2 most recent appear below).

Using a Flatbed Scanner To Measure Detergency: A Cost-Effective Undergraduate Laboratory
J. A. Poce-Fatou, M. Bethencourt, F. J. Moreno-Dorado, and J. M. Palacios-Santander
Journal of Chemical Education2011 Article ASAP
- Using a Flatbed Scanner To Measure Detergency: A Cost-Effective Undergraduate Laboratory
  J. A. Poce-Fatou, M. Bethencourt, F. J. Moreno-Dorado, and J. M. Palacios-Santander
  Journal of Chemical Education2011 Article ASAP
  The efficiency of a laundry-washing process is typically assessed using reflection measurements. A spectrometer and an integrating sphere are used to obtain the reflection data. The similarities between this equipment and a commercially available flatbed ...
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
A Lab Experience To Illustrate the Physicochemical Principles of Detergency
F. J. Moreno-Dorado , C. Moreno and J. J. Pinto-Ganfornina , M. Bethencourt-Núñez , J. A. Poce-Fatou
Journal of Chemical Education2008 85 (2), 266
- A Lab Experience To Illustrate the Physicochemical Principles of Detergency
  F. J. Moreno-Dorado , C. Moreno and J. J. Pinto-Ganfornina , M. Bethencourt-Núñez , J. A. Poce-Fatou
  Journal of Chemical Education2008 85 (2), 266
  This article presents a lab experience to study detergency from a physicochemical point of view intended for undergraduate students. By means of a simple experimental device, we analyze the influence of the surfactant concentration in both distilled water ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links