Glycerine As a Hydrotrope
The use of powerful chemical compounds goes beyond the laboratory and industrial facilities, and many of us are unaware of the nature of the chemical compounds we use daily to care for our homes and cars. Due to health and environmental concerns, there is a desire to use safer and less toxic compounds. Hydrotropes are compounds that give cleaning agents their cleaning power. There is concern over the type of hydrotropes available since some are toxic to the environment . Scientists see derivatives of glycerine, on the other hand, as safe and effective substitutes.
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Definition of Hydrotrope
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A hydrotrope is an organic compound that makes it possible to dissolve certain compounds in water. In other words, a hydrotrope is a solvent. Hydrotropes dissolve compounds which coat surfaces such as ink.
In order for a hydrotrope to dissolve a given substance, it prevents the formation of a crystalline structure. This crystalline structure is what allows for a compound such as ink to coat a surface. A hydrotrope breaks up the structure that gives ink its staying power. So, if you have an ink stain, you need a hydrotrope in order to dissolve the ink and remove the stain.
What is Glycerine?
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Glycerine or glycerin is the impure form of glycerol (C3H5(OH)3). Glycerine is derived from both animal and vegetable fats and is the byproduct of soap making. Glycerine's structure makes it a multi-faceted compound with many uses such as a humectant, plasticizer, emollient, thickener, solvent, dispersing medium, lubricant, sweetener, bodying agent, anti-freeze and processing aid. It is non-toxic, colorless and odorless liquid.
Glycerine is highly stable and compatible with other chemicals. According to Kaila Westerman, many things will dissolve in glycerine easier than water and alcohol, and therefore, it's an excellent solvent.
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Availability
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Chances are that you have already eaten some glycerine and put some on your skin today. Because glycerine or glycerol is non-toxic, it is found in countless products including foods, medicine and cosmetics. Glycerol is what makes liquid soap fluid. It's added to ice cream for a smooth texture. So-called "homemade" cookies stay moist due to glycerol. Dried fruit such as raisins stay chewy after being soaked in glycerol. Even the softening power of your hand lotion comes from gylcerol's ability to draw moisture.
Along with food and cosmetics, the car industry relies heavily on glycerol since this compound keeps cork gaskets flexible. As a lubricant, glycerol is also highly desired in the textile industry.
How is glycerine a hydrotrope?
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According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, the most widespread hydrotropes are ethers which come from ethylene glycol. The problem with these compounds is that they are toxic and have been banned for pharmaceutical, medical and domestic use. Glycerol derivatives, however, are good non-toxic substitutes which possesses comparable hydrotropic properties. As a solvent, when glycerol dissolves in water, it prevents the liquid from attaining any staying power, and so the liquid can no longer coat or attach itself to another surface. Since glycerol is plentiful and non-toxic, it makes for a sustainable option.
Greener Solutions
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The future looks optimistic for the development of safer chemical products. Not all chemicals are bad for us. Glycerine is an example of a very common compound that will help us diminish our dependence on the more toxic counterparts.
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References
- Photo Credit soap container image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
