Polymers 425 Synthetic detergents

The expansion in technology has in turn encouraged research scientists to broaden the scope of their research. Notable advances have been made in such special fields as plastics, polymers, rubber, detergents, and many other synthetic products from petroleum. A number of these items represent broad technological achievements in their own right. Research has also made major contributions to the discovery, production, and transportation of petroleum. 

Antiredeposition Polymers. The surfactants employed in synthetic detergents are effective in removing soil and stains from the surface of the washed fabric. Under heavy soil loading, there is a tendency for these soils to redeposit on the fabric. Various charged polymers have been found to prevent soil redeposition. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) is effective in reducing soil redeposition at a formulation level of 0.1-0.5 percent. 

Lyophilization of the treated surfaces and of removed particles is achieved by the addition of various polymers, such as, e.g., carboxymethylcellulose, which is introduced into synthetic detergent formulations in the amount of a few percent. Detergents also often contain enzymes that are capable of cleaving proteins present in soiled areas. It became possible for one to use enzymes only after the methods of their encapsulation were developed encapsulation of enzymes prevented their degradation by other components present in synthetic detergents. 

Emulsion polymerization is similar to suspension polymerization in the sense that the reaction also takes place in the presence of a water phase and the applied monomer forms a second liquid phase. However, in this case the added radical initiator is not soluble in the monomer droplets but in the water phase. To allow the monomer to come into contact with the initiator an emulsifier is added to the reaction mixture that creates micelles in the systems. By diffusion processes both monomer molecules and initiator molecules reach the micelle. Polymerization takes places and a polymer particle suspended in the water phase forms that is much smaller than the original monomer droplet (see Figure 5.3.12 for a graphical illustration of these steps). At the end of the overall emulsion polymerization process, all monomer droplets have been consumed by the polymerization reaction in the micelles. Typical emulsifiers for emulsion polymerization are natural or synthetic detergents, such as, for example, sodium palmitate or sodium alkyl sulfonates. Emulsion polymerization is very versatile and is applied for many polymers [e.g., PVC, styrene copolymers, poly(methacryl esters)] in batch, semi-continuous, and continuous processes. In some cases, the obtained polymer particles in water are directly applied as technical products for coatings, lacquer applications, or as adhesives. In other cases the formed product is further treated to obtain the dry polymer. Note that the aqueous phase in emulsion polymerization always contains some isolated emulsifier and also some monomer. Moreover, the formed polymer contains the emulsifier as impurity. 

Chlorosulfonic acid is employed in the manufacture of synthetic detergents such as sulfates of alkenes or unsaturated oils, polyoxypropylene glycol, long chain alcohols, alkylarenes or alkyl diphenyl ethers. It is also extensively used in the manufacture of sulfonamide antibacterials (sulfa dmgs), diuretics and other pharmaceuticals, pesticides, artificial sweeteners (saccharin), disinfectants (chloramine and dichloramine T), plasticizers, dyes and pigments, sulfonyl polymers as plastics, and ion exchange resins. Chlorosulfonic acid is an oxidizing and... 

A number of these stmctures are offered commercially by BASE Corporation under the trade name Tetronic polyols. The products are similar to oxygen block polymers. Although not strongly surface active per se, they are useful as detergents, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, defoamers, corrosion inhibitors, and lime-soap dispersants. They are reported to confer antistatic properties to textiles and synthetic fibers. 

Petrochemicals in general are compounds and polymers derived directly or indirectly from petroleum and used in the chemical market. Among the major petrochemical products are plastics, synthetic fibers, synthetic ruhher, detergents, and nitrogen fertilizers. Many other important chemical industries such as paints, adhesives, aerosols, insecticides, and pharmaceuticals may involve one or more petrochemical products within their manufacturing steps. 

Concerns about the effect of TPP on eutrophication have led many states, cities, and regional governments to ban the use of the compound in syndets. Such bans have caused serious problems for detergent manufacturers, however, because no entirely satisfactory substitute for TPP has yet been found. Two promising candidates are the sodium salt of nitrilotriacetic acid, 3Na, N(CH2C02)3 , or NTA and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Both of these compounds act in much the same way as TPP, that is, by sequestering metal ions. Other builders that have been incorporated into syndet formulations include sodium carbonate, synthetic zeolites, borates, and organic polymers known as polycarboxylates. 

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