Introduction to Sodium Hydroxide
sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a corrosive white crystalline solid that contains the Na+ (sodium) cation and the OH− (hydroxide) anion. It readily absorbs moisture until it dissolves.Sodium hydroxide, also widely recognized as caustic soda or lye, is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula NaOH. This compound is one of the most basic industrial chemicals used across various industries. In its pure form, sodium hydroxide appears as a white, solid crystalline substance that readily absorbs moisture from the air.
Physical properties of Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is a white, translucent, crystalline solid. Its aqueous solution has an astringent taste and a slippery feeling.As a solid, sodium hydroxide is colorless, odorless, and features a crystalline structure. When dissolved in water or neutralized with acid it liberates substantial heat, which can be dangerous.
1. Water absorption: sodium hydroxide is easy to deliquescent in the air, so solid sodium hydroxide is often used as a desiccant. [6] However, liquid sodium hydroxide is not absorbent.
2. Solubility: It is easily soluble in water, and a large amount of heat is released when dissolved. Soluble in ethanol and glycerol.
3 Its melting point is 318°C, and it has a boiling point of 1388°C.
4.It is highly soluble in water, with a solubility of 111 g/100 ml at 20°C.
5.The density of the substance is 2.13 g/cm3.
Transportation Method of Sodium Hydroxide
When transporting by rail, steel drums can be transported in open cars. The packaging should be complete and the loading should be secure. During transportation, it is necessary to ensure that the container does not leak, collapse, fall, or be damaged, and is moisture-proof and rainproof. If it is found that the packaging container is rusted, cracked, holes, melted and dripping, etc., the packaging should be replaced immediately or shipped as soon as possible, and the container damage can be repaired by soldering. It is strictly forbidden to mix with flammable or combustible materials, acids, edible chemicals, etc. During transportation, the transport vehicle should be equipped with leakage emergency treatment equipment.
Application of Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is the most widely used industrial alkali and is often used in drain and oven cleaners. It is highly corrosive to animal and vegetable tissue. The alkaline solutions it forms when dissolved in water neutralize acids in various commercial processes. In petroleum refining, it removes sulfuric and organic acids. In soapmaking, it acts on natural fats or oils, such as tallow or vegetable oil, to produce sodium fatty acid salt (soap) and glycerin (or glycerol); this saponification reaction is the basis for all soapmaking. In papermaking, sodium hydroxide is used to break down wood into pulp. Solutions of NaOH are used in the treatment of cellulose and in the manufacture of many chemicals.
Soap Making Industry
The organic chemical industry uses NaOH for saponification reactions along with the production of nucleophilic anionic intermediates, etherification, and esterification.
Sodium hydroxide is known as industrial soap because of its degreasing characteristics. Fabrics such as wool are made from animals so caustic soda can remove remaining fat or any other stain from it.
Paper Making Process
Another application of sodium hydroxide is in the making of paper from wood. The Kraft process is the frequently used method, simply wood is treated with a solution having a mixture of sodium hydroxide as well as sodium sulfide.
The unnecessary lignin present in wood, dissolve in the liquor, and pure cellulose is left behind which is later on filtered off. This cellulose after further purification forms the basis of the paper.
Paper Recycling Process
NaOH is used to upgrade the ink detachment process because of multiple reasons such as chemical hydrolysis of a few bonds between substrate and ink and fiber swelling effects.
Sodium hydroxide plays an elementary role in the recycling of paper as it helps to separate ink from paper cellulose and make it useable again.
Textile Industry
The fabric is boiled in the solution of sodium hydroxide and undergoes a saponification reaction for the removal of the remaining impurities. Caustic soda is used to prepare different dyes and in laundering also.
Water Treatment Process
The wastewater treatment process includes the utilization of NaOH for the removal of heavy metals and to adjust water acidity.
The most important role of NaOH is to provide the alkalinity above 9. It can enhance the pH to avoid corrosion.
Medicines
• Sodium hydroxide is used in the manufacturing of multiple medicines. It is employed in simple aspirin as well as some complicated anticoagulants (prevent blood clotting) and reduction in human cholesterol.
• Peptide-based drugs are predicted to play a more authentic role in the future of the pharmaceutical industry.
Energy
Epoxy resins are processed with sodium hydroxide and these resins show their activity in wind turbines. It is also used in fuel cell production to produce electricity to some extent for various applications.
Sodium Carbonate Production
During the reaction, NaOH traps CO2 that produce a solution of sodium bicarbonate. NaOH can also absorb CO2 from air and form Sodium Carbonate Na2CO3 and Sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3.The use of NaOH is uncomplicated, nontoxic, and easy-to-handle and there are no requirements of anhydrous reagents, an inert atmosphere, or any additional ligand.
Aluminum Extraction
Moderately treated sodium hydroxide is widely used to treat crushed bauxite (the Aluminum ore). As a result Aluminum oxide reacts to give sodium tetrahydroxoaluminate solution.The above process is known as the Bayer process and was originally used to extract aluminum hydrate from bauxite ore.
Food Production
Sodium hydroxide is commonly used in food production.As you know olives possess a little bit of bitter taste due to the presence of oleuropein (phenolic compound) in them. When brine is soaked by olives, it can break the bonds of oleuropein.
• It will assist you to peel fruits and vegetables by hydrolytic degradation of the outer skin.
• Sodium hydroxide is also used in the most favorite edibles chocolates and ice cream. In chocolates, it is used to reduce the acidity of the key ingredient coca and gives better taste and texture as compared to the original form of coca.
Carrageenan (gelling material) is the thickening agent used in ice cream. After treating this substance with NaOH, it can raise the consistency of ice cream.
• Another surprising thing is that NaOH is the mandatory ingredient in Raman noodles.
Cosmetics
• As Sodium hydroxide is a base and little concentration is used in multiple cosmetics like nail paints, hair dye, and other makeup products.
• It is used in the straightening of hair as it can change the curls by breaking the disulfide bond present in hairs.
Cleaning Agent
• Sodium hydroxide is used for sanitation or as a cleaning agent around all over the world because of its effective and efficient behavior. It can help to deactivate the microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
• As an industrial cleaning agent, it is used in the cleaning of storage tanks. It is capable of dissolving fats, oils, and protein-based contamination so it can easily clean water discharge pipes used in homes.
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