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Questions tagged [surfactants]

Questions about compounds that lower the surface tension (or interfacial tension) between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid.

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Negative pressure

I am conducting a simulation of a three-layer system consisting of surfactant, water, and oil using GROMACS. As part of the verification of the results, I am outputting the pressure in GROMACS to ...
SATO RYOICHI佐藤 遼一's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
151 views

What is the highest known temperature where micelles exist?

What are the two liquid phases involved in the formation of roughly spherical micelles at highest possible temperatures? What about a surfactant? At how high temperatures have micelles been observed ...
Paul Kolk's user avatar
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In surfactant modification of zeolites, ECEC and CMC are of primary interest. How do you determine which concentrations to employ?

I've read literature in which the rationale behind their monolayer and bilayer surfactant modification for zeolites was solely based on the external cation exchange capacity (100% and 200% ECEC for ...
marvince araneta's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
170 views

Cheap way to mix satured fat (beef tallow) with water?

I want to mix beef tallow (satured fat) in water. I want to prepare food or edible product. I know I must use a emulsifier, but I seen in this video, I can do it by a vacuum chamber. That means I have ...
Nestor's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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Can we replace surface stabilizers of CuS nanoparticles with a solid matrix?

Is there a method to simultaneously remove surface stabilizer molecules from $\ce{CuS}$ (copper monosulfide) nanoparticles and form inclusions of the nanoparticles into a solid crystal growing from a ...
Paul Kolk's user avatar
  • 520
2 votes
0 answers
121 views

Stability of n-Dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside in buffer solutions for assay experiments

I have a buffer system which contains multiple salts and in addition DTT and n-Dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside. I understand that DTT is hydrolysing quite fast and this component must be used always fresh ...
raptorlane's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
44 views

Improving paraffin wax adhesion to steel - surfactants and adhesion modifiers

Context I use paraffin wax as a lubricant for my bicycle chain. It is a personal / DIY project. Essentially, wax is melted in a slow cooker and a bicycle chain is immersed in the melted wax. There are ...
jrmhng's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
36 views

Can micelles form in a polar-vacuum interface?

As the formation of micelles depends on, among many factors, the difference of polarity/relative permittivity of the solvents involved with the surfactant, I'm wondering if a polar-vacuum system is ...
Evamentality's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
81 views

How can I choose the right solvent to remove pigment from cotton

I’m trying to figure out how I might be able to dissolve a pigment without destroying the substrate(cotton, very thin). I don’t know the exact pigment, so it’s a guessing game. It is violet, I suspect ...
Pol's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
834 views

Is it possible to store a Tween 80 stock solution?

I am making a stock solution of Tween 80 (0.05 % w/v) and each experiment requires just 15 ml of the stock solution. Is it possible to make a large batch (about 100 ml) and store it somewhere? If so, ...
Ryan ong's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
31 views

Affect of EtOH on Anionic Surfactant [closed]

I am not a chemist nor do I have a background in chemistry, so I know nothing beyond my observations. Attempting to load SLS into a porous silica substrate by dissolving surfactant into 200 proof EtOH ...
August's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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Is there a stretchable, transparent polymer like PDMS, but not so hydrophobic?

I'm looking for something like PDMS, but not as hydrophobic. I'm trying to form 2d crystals using the surface tension of an evaporating droplet to organize microspheres into an ordered array. PDMS ...
Thomas's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
301 views

Suppressing flammable foam formation in electrolysis

I often use electrolysis to remove rust and other junk off of steel parts. My general setup is: Electrolyte: Sodium bicarbonate + distilled water. Anode: Plain carbon steel Cathode: Carbon steel, ...
Jason C's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
854 views

How can surface excess be negative?

If we have interphase of two phases $\alpha$ (water) and $\beta$ (air), surface excess is defined as $$\Gamma_i = \frac{n_{i,\mathrm{tot}} - n_{i,\alpha} - n_{i,\beta}} A = \frac{n_{i,\mathrm{int}}} A,...
Dario Mirić's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
491 views

Why does magnesium hydroxide solution solidify after passage of time?

I have been trying to make a suspension of magnesium hydroxide in water. Around 40% magnesium hydroxide w/w. Initially it is fluid, but as time passes, it solidifies. What is causing this?
Akshay's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
482 views

Is an emulsion of dish soap and vegetable oil stable?

If I fill a glass jar with water, vegetable oil, and dish soap, then mix it until the oil is completely emulsified, will the mixture stay emulsified indefinitely? Assuming the dish soap and oil are ...
Ethan Reesor's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
454 views

What happens when you dilute a surfactant solution at the critical micelle concentration?

Say if instance I have a 100 ml solution with micelles formed using some surfactant. Now if I pour that 100 ml solution into 500 ml of water, will those micelles break up into free surfactant again? ...
Deangelo Wooley's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
309 views

What is the theoretical reason for the dependence of the surface tension on the alcohol concentration in water?

The qualitative sketches I, II and III given below show the variation of surface tension with molar concentration of three different aqueous solutions of$ \ce{ KCl, CH_3 (OH) }$and $ \ce{CH3(CH2)_{11} ...
Brian's user avatar
  • 436
8 votes
2 answers
984 views

Quantifying soapiness; there's pH, pKa and pO2, is there a p_soap or p_surfactance?

Yes, $\mathrm{pH}$ is a concentration, $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a}$ is a dissociation constant, and $\mathrm{pO_2}$ is a partial pressure. These are (roughly speaking) ways to indicate how much of a key ...
uhoh's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
193 views

Anti-foaming agent for HCl + copper chloride solution

I am trying to etch my own circuit boards at home, and have whipped up some DIY cupric chloride etchant (just CuCl with a bunch of free HCl) The problem I have found is that when I try to bubble air ...
Tristan Ritland's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
187 views

How do lyophilic colloids reduce surface tension?

It's given in my textbook that the surface tension of lyophilic/hydrophilic solutions is lower than water. But my intuition says, since in lyophilic solutions the interaction between a lyophilic ...
R. Anusha's user avatar
  • 181
2 votes
1 answer
352 views

Viscosity at CMC

What happens to viscosity at critical micelle concentration? Does it increase or decrease abruptly, and if so, what's the reason behind it? I'm aware of changes in other properties such as ...
Buckbitter Inning's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
303 views

Meaning of "Nonyl-phenol 10 mole"

In my workplace we are purchasing "Nonylphenol 10 mole" and "Nonylphenol 30 mole" for use as non-ionic surfactants. At first I assumed, because of the name, that the substance was ...
Juan Perez's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
488 views

How does soap actually reduce surface tension of water

I was a bit confused on how soap reduce surface tension of water.I've read some answers like Why does soap reduce surface tension of water and Why do surfactants lower the surface tension But the ...
Govind's user avatar
  • 318
1 vote
0 answers
97 views

Why is aqueous solution of lauyl glucoside alkaline?

What is the reaction of dissociation of lauryl glucoside? It's aqueous solution pH is much higher than 7, it's definately alkaline. Why is that? It's nonionic surfactant and as far as I know it only ...
Wojciech Lewandowski's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
891 views

Is lauryl glucoside stable in low pH?

I wish to use lauryl glucoside in the solution of citric acid. I tried to add it to 5% w/w solution of citric acid in water but after about 24h in the concoction which was previously clear I observed ...
Wojciech Lewandowski's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
324 views

How can I solubilize fragrance oil into polyvinyl acetate/clear glue?

I'm a high school student who makes slime for fun, using polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue and borax as my main ingredients. Earlier, I had the idea of adding fragrance oils to clear glue. However, because ...
Marcus's user avatar
  • 31
0 votes
1 answer
235 views

Which salt is a surfactant and lowers the surface tension of the water? [closed]

I am doing my experiment on the surface tension of the water. How to show the decrease of surface tension of water with the increase in the concentration of salt? Is there any salt that lowers the ...
Aditya Neupane's user avatar
5 votes
0 answers
75 views

Thermodynamics of micellisation

Micellisation is found to be spontaneous i.e. $\Delta G < 0.$ It's found that $\Delta S > 0,$ which was intuitive since, solvated molecules are released. And, it may be most loosely started that ...
Munchkin's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
156 views

Non-foaming surfactant to add to water [closed]

I'm looking for a surfactant that I can add to water to decrease the surface tension by 20 to 40%. I'm working on a new kind of mixing device that is so designed such that it mixes relatively large ...
rdemyan's user avatar
  • 173
0 votes
4 answers
1k views

Can you steam clean your range hood, by adding dishwashing liquid to boiling distilled water?

My grandparents physically can't remove their Sakura R-727II range hood that lacks any filter. Because of COVID-19, no handyperson can visit their house. But their range hood is now clogged and ...
user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
597 views

Biodegrability of straight chain and branched chain detergents

From NCERT Chemistry: Textbook for class XII, Part II [1, p. 461]: Main problem that appears in the use of detergents is that if their hydrocarbon chain is highly branched, then bacteria cannot ...
Khushi Ladha's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
36 views

Do some alkyloxiranes possess surfactant properties?

As an example, i notice that decyloxirane has a long non-polar "tail" and a tiny "head" that features two polar bonds. This molecule looks not so different from a common soap to me....
Al_'s user avatar
  • 139
2 votes
2 answers
907 views

Difference between Soap and Detergent

In most articles and texts that I've read, soaps and detergents seem to be talked about collectively. I know that they are both surfactants and that soaps are usually natural, in comparison to ...
An0n1m1ty's user avatar
  • 151
-2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Does hot water make more foam? [duplicate]

A message has been floating around saying that it is better to wash your hands with warm water, as it helps the soap create more foam. Is it true? If it is true, why is it so? Is there a temperature ...
Micelle's user avatar
  • 191
1 vote
0 answers
201 views

What is the logic behind the terminology lyophilic and lyophobic colloids?

Its given in my text book that- Colloidal dispersions of starch,rubber,proteins etc are lyophilic colloids whereas colloidal dispersions of metals,sulphides etc are lyophobic in nature. But even ...
Grace's user avatar
  • 470
1 vote
0 answers
288 views

Making a soapy (bubble) solution

There are fun and practical applications of soapy solutions for bubble making. An example of a practical one is detection of gas leaks from fittings and unions. Given various household products, ...
mongo's user avatar
  • 111
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why do surfactants lower the surface tension

Everybody knows that detergents, or generally amphiphilic substances, lower the surface tension. Of water, usually. I wonder if that's true for any polar solvent (most likely), i.e. will the same ...
Karl's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
201 views

Surface Chemistry - Dipole Moment of Surfactant with Water and Phases of a Monomolecular Layer

Recently, I have been trying to study surface chemistry and I have come across questions that I do not understand how to answer. I understand what a dipole moment is, defined as a charge separation ...
The Contextual Path's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
4k views

Is an alcohol-based spray cleaner ok for cleaning an aluminum heat exchanger?

Simple alcohols such as ethanol can, apparently, corrode aluminum. However, this corrosion reaction seems to be very slow at room temperature and below. Is an ethanol based, non-foaming spray cleaner, ...
Al_'s user avatar
  • 139
15 votes
3 answers
5k views

Is there such a thing as a "minimal soap" molecule?

Wikipedia's Soap gives sodium stearate as an example of soap, and apparently I've been eating it: Sodium stearate is the sodium salt of stearic acid. This white solid is the most common soap. It is ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 5,997
4 votes
1 answer
210 views

How can I make an alloy wetter?

I'm trying to make a Bismuth-Indium based low-melt alloy wetter (specifically, better at wetting to solid metals and glass). I've tried adding gallium, which obviously works, but due to its metal-...
barneypitt's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
272 views

Wetting agent for H2O2 solution

I need to increase the wetting of an $\ce{H2O2}$ solution on ceramic surfaces. Does anyone know of a common chemical I can use for this? The properties it would ideally have are: Increases wetting ...
user183966's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
88 views

What does borax do in and to the washing machine? [closed]

Does borax actually do anything to make clothes cleaner? If it does .... Does it do something with the detergent to remove more dirt from clothes? Does it make it easier to rinse detergent and dirt ...
bujevy's user avatar
  • 29
11 votes
3 answers
7k views

What are "tensides"?

I was reading about chemicals that control pore size of polyurethane foams and there it was mentioned that "tensides" decrease pore size. What are tensides? I assume it's the opposite of a surfactant, ...
wav scientist's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
254 views

Uncertainty in measuring the mass of the palm oil and the base in saponification

I am a student coming from the domain of mathematics, and I am working on error analysis and uncertainty, but I have a question in the domain of chemistry. I am studying the effect of the ...
Nizar's user avatar
  • 121
9 votes
1 answer
4k views

Why does Dead Sea water feel greasy?

The best explanation I found so far is this: These salts (magnesium, potassium, sodium, etc.) are responsible for the "greasy" feel of the water. But it doesn’t say which salts exactly are ...
Neith's user avatar
  • 201
1 vote
0 answers
45 views

failed simple experiment with surfactant

I wanted to show my son the effect of a surfactant. So I filled two small glasses with tap-water, added a squirt of RinseAid to one and stirred. Then I sprinkled powdered flour on both. My ...
S. Vavasis's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
209 views

How can I decrease the Krafft temperature of an hexadecyl sulfate surfactant?

I need to prepare an anionic surfactant from a treatment of cetyl alcohol (hexadecanol) and $\ce{H2SO4}$, and then neutralize it using $\ce{NaOH}$ or $\ce{NH3}$; but sodium hexadecyl sulfate has a ...
Zincman's user avatar
  • 41
4 votes
1 answer
3k views

Why does copper sulphate (CuSO4) in water increase surface tension?

So, recently for school, I did an experiment on surface-tension. We tested Water, Salt, Sugar, Dissolvable Panadol, Coffee Powder, Vinegar, Detergent, Flour, Methylated Spirits, Oil & Detergent, ...
IllustriousMagenta's user avatar