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Definition of detergents

Detergents are organic compounds, which have both polar and non-polar characteristics. They tend to
exist at phase boundaries, where they are associated with both polar and non-polar media. Detergents
are of three types: anionic, cationic, and non-ionic. Anionic and cationic have permanent negative or
positive charges, attached to non-polar (hydrophobic) C-C chains. Non-ionic detergents have no such
permanent charge; instead, they have a number of atoms which are weakly electropositive and
electronegative. This is due to the electron-attracting power of oxygen atoms.

There are two kinds of detergents with different characteristics: phosphate detergents
and surfactant detergents. Detergents that contain phosphates are highly caustic, and surfactant
detergents are very toxic. The differences are that surfactant detergents are used to enhance the
wetting, foaming, dispersing and emulsifying properties of detergents. Phosphate detergents are used in
detergents to soften hard water and help suspend dirt in water.

What occurs if detergents show up in freshwaters?

Detergents can have poisonous effects in all types of aquatic life if they are present in sufficient
quantities, and this includes the biodegradable detergents. Detergents destroy the external mucus layers
that protect the fish from bacteria and parasites and also can cause severe damage to the gills. Most fish
will die when detergent concentrations approach 15 ppm. Detergent concentrations as low as 5 ppm will
kill fish eggs.

After that detergent concentration of only 2 ppm can cause fish to absorb double the amount of
chemicals they would normally absorb, although that concentration itself is not high enough to affect fish
directly.

Phosphates in detergents can lead to freshwater algae blooms that releases toxins and deplete oxygen in
waterways. When the algae decompose, they use up the oxygen available for aquatic life.
The main contributors to the toxicity of detergents were the sodium silicate solution and the surfactants-
with the remainder of the components contributing very little to detergent toxicity.

http://www.lenntech.com/aquatic/detergents.htm#ixzz3UzKaK3LU
Detergent Ingredients

1. Surfactans
Surfactants have a polar, or hydrophilic (water-loving) head group, and a non-polar, fatty or
hydrophobic (water-hating) tail. The polar substances will interact well with other polar
substances, and non-polar substances interact well with other non-polar substances.
Oil (non-polar substance) and water (polar substance) do not usually mix. However, in the
presence of a high enough concentration of surfactant molecules, oil can effectively be emulsified
(suspended evenly) in water.

2. Builder
The function of builders are to enhance the action of surfactants. Water naturally contains
positively charged metal ions (cations), calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+), The
concentrations of two of these cations, determine how hard the water is. They can react with
anionic surfactants, causing them to work less efficiently or to precipitate onto fabrics or the
inside of the washing machine. Builders soften water by complexing with Ca2+ and Mg2+. When
these cations are complexed with the builder, they do not interfere with the action of surfactants.

3. Alkalis
They raise the pH of the laundry wash water, which assists in breaking up oily and acidic soil
components. Liquid water in its neutral state (pH 7) is primarily composed of water as molecules,
but there is also a very small number (1 x 10-14) of water molecules which have broken up into
H+ and OH- ions (charged particles). Alkalis will increase the concentration of OH- ions and so
raise the pH of the laundry wash. Sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium silicate,
sodium citrate and ammonium hydroxide, may be used to increase detergent pH.
4. Anti-Redeposition Agents
It prevent soils that have been dislodged from fabric from being redeposited. by increase the
negative charge on the fabric surface, so that the surface repels soil particles because these are
also negatively charged. Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) is effective with cotton fabrics.
Polyvinyl pyrrolidone is more effective with wool and synthetic fabrics. Polyethylene glycol
(PEG) and polyvinyl alcohol may also used as anti-redeposition agents.

5. Enzymes
Enzymes are catalysts. Catalysts speed up chemical reactions without themselves becoming
consumed in the process. It break down large molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates and
fats into smaller segments. These smaller segments are either water-soluble, or are of size and
polarity compatible with surfactants meaning that they can be suspended in solution. Most
enzymes are destroyed by high temperatures, i.e. above 60 C. They are usually most effective
at warm water temperatures (e.g. 40 C), however some enzymes are best for use in cold water.
The most commonly used enzymes are proteases (break down protein), amylases (break down
starch a type of carbohydrate) and lipases (break down fats).

6. Active Oxygen Bleach


It remove stains from fabric to improve fabric whiteness and brightness. These bleaches are
usually suitable for use on coloured fabrics without damaging their colour. The active ingredient
in oxygen bleach is hydrogen peroxide, Sodium percarbonate.

7. Antimicrobial Agents
These agents hygienically clean fabrics to help prevent spread of disease and to reduce odour-
causing microorganisms (include bacteria, fungi and viruses). Antimicrobial agents can work in a
number of ways. Some interfere with the formation of the microbial cell walls or cell
membranes, usually having microbiocidal effect. Some interfere with the synthesis of microbial
proteins, nucleic acids, or essential metabolites. The effect of this interference could be either
microbiocidal (kill microorganisms) or microbiostatic (inhibit the growth of microorganisms).
Quaternary ammonium chlorides and alcohols may be used as antimicrobial agents.

8. Fabric softener
Fabric softeners can impart a number of properties to fabrics:
Softness (or fluffiness for towels) and smoothness
Reduced static electricity (preventing fabric from clinging)
Reduced crinkling (and greater ease of ironing)

9. Fregrances
Fragrances do more than give laundry a pleasant smell. They neutralise the inherent odour of
the detergent chemicals, and also of the soils in the laundry wash.
10. Optical Brightener
It enhance the light reflected from the fabric surface and can make fabrics appear whiter and
brighter, helping to keep them looking newer for longer. Optical brighteners mask the
appearance of an undesirable colour, such as the yellowing of fabric that occurs naturally over
time. They do this by introducing a complementary colour.
Optical brighteners attach to fabrics, absorb invisible ultraviolet light and convert it to visible
blue-violet light. The blue light that is emitted interacts with the yellow light emitted by the
fabric, giving an overall appearance of whiteness. Some classes of optical brighteners include
aminotriazines, coumarins, and stilbenes.

11. Preservatives
All organic detergent ingredients, such as the surfactants and enzymes, are biodegradable. This
means that they can be broken down by bacteria in the environment. However, bacteria can
also infiltrate detergent containers and cause the detergent to spoil during storage.
Preservatives prevent this spoilage by killing bacteria. For examples : glutaraldehyde and EDTA.

12. Hydrotropes
They assist in maintaining the pouring characteristics of liquid detergents by preventing gel
formation or separation into layers in the bottle. They are similar with surfactants but they are
typically smaller and less linear than surfactant molecules. They interrupt the formation of
surfactant micelles in the bottle that can lead to high viscosity gel structures and insoluble
phases. Examples such as xylenesulfonate, cumenesulfonate, some glycol ether sulphates, and
urea.

13. Processing AIDs


They maintain the physical characteristics of laundry detergents during processing, storage and
consumer use.

14. Foams Regulator


They inhibit the formation of suds during the washing cycle by disrupting the surfactants at the
air-water interface of the forming bubble, or cause foam bubbles to collapse by forming
hydrophobic bridges across multiple bubbles. Foam regulators are typically oily or hydrophobic
long-chain molecules. Some soaps, siloxanes and paraffins are used as foam regulators.
15. Corrosion Inhibitor
Corrosion inhibitors inhibit corrosion of metallic washing machine interior parts by preventing or
reducing the areas of charge difference by forming a thin film over them. Sodium silicate is a
common corrosion inhibitor.

http://www.washwise.org.au/_documents/Laundry%20detergent%20ingredients%20info%20sheet.pdf

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