Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Percarbonate: What Are They?

Mar 26, 2024 By Madison Evans

Sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate are two major inorganic species that act as activators. They are two major players in many households and industries alike. Lets see what these two are and what they can do.

What is Sodium Carbonate?

The inorganic compound sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, is made from two sodium and one carbonate ion. Sodium carbonate belongs to the carbonate family in the chemical structure, and it is well-known by many names, including washing soda and soda ash. Besides that, it contains many hydrates. Because it is almost always solid, sodium carbonate and its hydrates always tend to be white. Moreover, it is good that all of them are water-soluble. Also, this chemical tastes very sour. At solubility in water, it meets the acidic characteristics. It mainly consists of water and absorbs a lot of water.

Sodium carbonate has a molar mass of 105.9 g/mol. When dry, it melts at 851 degrees Celsius under normal conditions. The soda ash Solvay process and mining evaporate minerals can create sodium carbonate. Several common products use this chemical, such as paper, glass, rayon, detergents, soaps, etc. Besides, it can serve as a softening agent that eliminates calcium and magnesium ions. There are also big ethical implications.

There are two products: sodium hydroxide, an antacid that neutralizes stomach acid, and carbonic acid (a result of carbon dioxide in the air and sodium carbonate). Carbonic acid can be present in transparent protein powders, protein pellets, or large crystals with a molecular weight of 105.988 g/mol. It is also considered a good soluble in water and is known for its melting point, which is 856 C.

Because of its role as a precipitating constructor, sodium carbonate increases or maintains the effectiveness of cleansers by creating an insoluble material. Additionally, it aids in regulating the acid-base balance of beauty items. Lets look at some of the benefits and uses.

Hair and Skin Care Products

Sodium carbonate is a pH regulator and skin and hair care ingredient that may dissolve surface oils and grime. Exfoliants, hair wash, conditioners, bath salts, oils, and moisturizers are some of the included products. In most cases, touching the skin and hair with solutions with concentrations of 10% or below is safe.

Oral Uses

To prevent tooth decay, toothpastes include sodium carbonate, which has antibacterial characteristics. At greater doses, it may inhibit the growth of periodontal bacteria and reduce gum inflammation.

Glass Making

Making glass requires a lower melting point than regular sand, which this process lowers.

Purification

One water treatment method is water purification, which involves raising the pH of acidic water.

Laundry

Cleaning products like soap and detergent use their alkaline characteristics and water solubility.

Refining

Refining fats and oils involves removing soap and free fatty acids.

Food Preparation

Baked baking soda is a good choice when a more powerful alkaline salt is needed.

Pools

This pool and aquarium addition can change your pool's pH or aquarium, or you can use it as a cleaning agent or boiler compound.

Dyeing

The alkaline color-modifying characteristics of soda ash make it a useful dye for cotton and textiles.

What is Sodium Percarbonate?

Sodium carbonate with hydrogen peroxide forms the adduct sodium percarbonate. This substance has the molecular formula Na2H3CO6. The formula is 2Na2CO3.3H2O2, as it is a bimolecular adduct. In addition, it is a crystalline, hygroscopic, colorless solid. There is a molecular mass of 156.9 g/mol.

To produce this chemical, sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide may be crystallized in a controlled environment with pH and reactant concentrations. The oxidizing agent, detergent, and supply of anhydrous hydrogen peroxide in organic synthesis processes are among the many sodium percarbonate uses.

About half of the world's manufacturing facilities are situated in Europe, out of ten to fifteen. To make it, sodium carbonate and percarbonate hydrogen peroxide are mixed using either a dry, spray, or wet technique. In the dry process, aqueous hydrogen peroxide is sprayed over solid sodium carbonate, causing the solid to react and form percarbonate.

The spray process employs a fluid bed approach to producing sodium percarbonate. To make water evaporate from a drying media, sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide are mixed, and the mixture is sprayed on top. Production often involves crystallization during the wet process, sometimes in combination with salting out.

Sodium Percarbonate Uses and Benefits

Laundry Uses

Because of its bleaching action, oxygen bleach can be used as a laundry booster or cleaning solution. While oxygen bleach is found in many store-bought stain removers, you can manually add percarbonate to your washing machine.

Bathroom Cleaning

It may also help with this job. To disinfect and clean a bathroom, combine two tablespoons of sodium percarbonate with five hundred milliliters of warm water. Once the sodium percarbonates have dissolved, keep mixing. Allow thirty to sixty minutes after adding the liquid to the toilet before washing. If the discoloration persists, allow the chemical to rest overnight, and then brush and wash as usual.

Ceramic and Grout

Mildew, mold, or plain old dirt may quickly turn any tile or grout in your home black. A water-sodium percarbonate paste helps eliminate mold and mildew stains. Apply the mixture to the tiles with a clean sponge or cloth.

Kitchen and Food

Similar to how it cleans bathrooms, it can also clean certain areas in the kitchen. Being able to clean, deodorize, and disinfect makes it the ideal alternative to chemicals used in industrial settings.

Other Applications

Other uses include chemical synthesizing, fungicides, and algicides and environmental applications such as odor control in waste treatment facilities. A small quantity of percarbonate is used in oral replacement cleansers and toothpaste. Not only that but here are some more ways they may be put to use:

  • Its antiseptic properties make it a viable alternative to the aqueous phase of hydrogen peroxide for use as a wound septic. It also has the added benefit of being a deodorant.
  • It favorably affects sodium hydrogen peroxide, which is used for treating and preventing dental disorders.
  • It might be useful as an alternative to alkaline treatments. Bleaching with hydrogen peroxide is possible on various minerals, including chalk, holmes, rutile, and natural silicates.
Related articles
Understanding Itchy Throat Causes and Discovering Effective Relief Methods
Explore the reasons behind an itchy throat and learn about effective solutions to alleviate the discomfort. Uncover both common causes and successful remedies to help you deal with an itchy throat.
Madison Evans Nov 26, 2023
Condition
What Are the Health Benefits of Bay Leaves and How Can You Use Them?
Explore the health benefits of bay leaves, their nutritional value, and creative ways to incorporate them into your meals.
Celia Shatzman Nov 01, 2024
Food
Is It True That Coconut Milk Help In Losing Weight?
Due to its high medium-chain triglyceride, evaporated coconut milk has the potential to enhance metabolism and promote satiety, which might be helpful for weight control.
Nancy Miller Mar 28, 2024
Food
Does Pumpkin Contain a Lot of Fiber? A High-Fiber Analysis
Most people consider pumpkins veggies but scientists call them fruits because of their seeds. They are high in fiber and more nutritional than many others.
Nancy Miller Mar 28, 2024
Food
Top Methods to Reduce and Heal Back Acne Scars
This guide covers natural, professional, and skin care treatments for back acne scars. This post includes topical and at-home exfoliation to sophisticated dermatological treatments. Find the best techniques to eliminate dark spots, textured scars, and long-standing acne scars and enhance skin texture. With these proven acne scar treatments, your back will be smoother and evener.
Madison Evans Dec 03, 2024
Beauty
Ringworm: Unveiling the Fungal Culprit
Discover what ringworm is, how it affects humans, and the best treatment options. Find tips on preventing ringworm.
Madison Evans Oct 04, 2023
Condition
Why Is Tomato Paste Good for You? All Its Benefits
Sun dried tomato paste’s antioxidant lycopene reduces cardiovascular disease and cancer risk. Potassium, folate, and minimal calories support heart, bone, and immunity.
Nancy Miller Mar 26, 2024
Food
Unraveling the Link Between Elevated Brain Glucose and Alzheimer's Severity
Discover the connection between elevated brain glucose levels and the severity of Alzheimer's. Unraveling insights into this health condition.
Madison Evans Feb 07, 2024
Condition