Algerian montmorillonite as a builder in a detergent powder

Abstract

Algerian montmorillonite treated with sodium chloride was used as a substitute for the builders sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and sodium sulfate in a detergent powder. The following performance parameters of the substituted composition powder were examined: pH, foaming, cleaning, sequestering, and ion exchange capacities. The latter factors remained the most important ones for effective detergency. Despite anticipated improvement in hard water ion removal, constant detergency results were observed with the treated montmorillonite-containing powder. This level of efficacy does not meet the cost-effectiveness of a standard detergent powder containing STPP.Synthetic detergent formulators have made tremendous inroads since the discovery of the surfactant sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, the well-known German Nekal. The latter was actually the result of the embargo imposed on Germany during World War I (1,2). That synthetic detergent owed its low detergency to its short alkyl group, namely n-propyl and n-butyl. In contrast, the sodium salt of propylene tetramer benzene sulfonate, the American detergent developed in 1920, exhibited better detergency because of its longer alkyl group (C 12 ). Since 1965, linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate has been substituted for the branched version because of its relatively better biodegradation properties.Despite these advances in surfactant technology, overall detergency of a formulation has remained highly dependent on the added builders in detergent powders. Among these additives, sodium tripolyphosphate (Na 3 P 3 O 9 : STPP), introduced in 1947, and sodium sulfate (Na 2 SO 4 , used mainly as filler) have been indispensable for providing good cleaning performance, especially in hard water. Water always contains hardness, usually measured as the concentrations of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ . Moreover, the heavy metallic ions present in water, such as Fe 2+ , Cu 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Mn 2+ , are potential catalysts for the decomposition of the perborates that are incorporated as bleaching agents in a detergent formulation. STPP is extremely effective in sequestering these metal ions and improving cleaning performance.Although it is renowned for its sequestering, solubilizing, dispersing, peptizing, and emulsifying capacities, as well as for its alkalinizing and electrolytic properties, STPP can adversely affect the environment because of eutrophication (1,2), a phenomenon linked to its limited biodegradability (1). Potential substitutes for STPP, such as nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and zeolites, have other negative issues. For example, zeolites are less alkaline than STPP and therefore require the use of other builders such as the costly sodium citrate to compensate (3). In addition, NTA has proved to be quite toxic when contaminated with heavy metals in drinking water, and EDTA has poor biodegradability characteristics.This paper presents experimental results on the partial substitution of both STPP and sodium sulfate by NaCl-treated Algerian montmorillo...

Rosin/acid oil‐based liquid soap

“…The washing performance of liquid soaps, including the standard one, was less than moderate, and they were lower than that of a DDBS-based detergent formulation (10).…”

“…The foaming results shown in Table 4 are in accordance with the CMC values and also with the IV of the starting acid oils. These results indicate that the liquid soaps (F i ) foamed less than an anionic detergent powder (10). This low foaming suggests that liquid soaps may be used in washing-machine laundry applications, as laundry washing requires low foaming.…”

“…(vi) Cleaning performance (10). The cleaning tests for the different formulations using soiled white cotton fabrics (10 × 10 cm) were carried out in a stainless steel drum (8.70 cm in diameter, 20.20 cm in height); the drum is fitted with an axlearm by which it is rotated during the washing.…”

“…(iv) Foaming capacity. The foaming capacities of the formulations (F i ) were estimated using a device outlined in a previous work (10).…”

Application of Oxidized Cornstarch as a Nonphosphoric Detergent Builder

“…In addition, they produce deposits on fabrics, which trap dirt and provide a breeding ground for bacteria, and cause washed fabrics to become harsh, grey, and to wear out more quickly [9]. NTA has been proved to be quite toxic when contaminated with heavy metals in drinking water, and EDTA has poor biodegradability characteristics [10,11]. Zeolites have other negative features.…”