Potassium hydroxide is used in soft and liquid soaps. We all know that soap is designed to cleanse the body. But what is it made of? All soaps are made up of vegetable or animal fats or oils that combine with a reagent that is normally alkaline. Hard soaps typically contain sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide in soft soaps. Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula KOH. It is also commonly referred to as caustic potash. Combined with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), it is a colorless solid and a strong prototype base. Participates in many applications. Used as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries.
One of the organic chemical reactions known to ancient humans was the preparation of soap through a reaction called soap making. Natural soaps are sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids, originally prepared by boiling animal fats with lubrication or potash (potassium hydroxide). Hydrolyzes fats and oils to produce glycerol and crude soap. Hard soaps are made using sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Hard soaps are especially good cleaners in hard water that contain magnesium, chloride and calcium ions. In soft soap, potassium hydroxide (KOH) is used instead of sodium hydroxide. This type of soap, in addition to being soft, also has a lower melting point. Most primary soaps were made using potassium hydroxide derived from wood ash and animal fats. Modern soft soaps are made using vegetable oils and other polyunsaturated triglycerides. These soaps are characterized by weaker intermolecular forces between the salts. They dissolve easily, but do not last long. Potassium soaps are more water soluble than sodium soaps. Concentrated, they are called soft soap. Although the importance of soft soaps is declining, potassium soaps are still produced in various liquid concentrations for use in combination with sodium soaps in shaving products and in the textile industry this is a Applications of potassium hydroxide.
Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are almost interchangeable. They are the most chemically similar hydroxides. Both are alkaline white, corrosive solids or powders. Sodium hydroxide is more commonly known as soda or caustic soda, and potassium hydroxide is known as potash. In tonnage, potassium hydroxide is about three times more expensive than sodium hydroxide. At the molecular level, potassium hydroxide is also slightly smaller than sodium hydroxide. Therefore, it can penetrate oil molecules faster than sodium hydroxide, thus causing the oil to break down on faster surfaces. Because they have a higher solubility, oils can be washed more easily, especially if hot water or steam equipment is used. In a process called soap making, both are used to convert fats into soap. Even if their solubility in water is almost the same at room temperature, products made with potassium hydroxide show more solubility, especially when you raise the water temperature. Like all strong bases, the reaction of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide with water is highly exothermic. In other words, they produce heat and give off hydrogen. But the reaction with sodium hydroxide is a little more exothermic, which can offset the other positive factors that potassium hydroxide has. Potassium soaps retain water better, resulting in softer soaps with higher water content. Consumers around the world are increasingly aware of the side effects of regular soaps containing antibacterial additives on the environment. As a result, more and more people are turning to natural soaps. These soaps do not contain additives or preservatives along with safety for use on sensitive or young skin. Most of these soaps contain herbal remedies and essential oils. Essential oils are selected for their therapeutic benefits or aromas. Usually two or more oils are used. Essential oils of medicinal plants are used sparingly in only about 3% of soap recipes.
1. You must have some kind of fat. The most commonly used vegetable fats are palm kernel oil, coconut oil and olive oil. You can use one type of oil or a combination of two or three types. For example, 70% coconut oil and 30% olive oil.
2. Make lemon juice. Mix caustic soda with water to dissolve. The reaction of sodium hydroxide and water is exothermic and produces heat, so be careful at this stage of the process.
3. Combine oils with lychee water. After mixing, allow the soap to stand for up to 24 hours.
4. After the soap settles, slowly add water and heat to make the soap smooth and The consistency of the liquid is appropriate.
By the end of the soap making process, sodium hydroxide is no longer present in the soap. It is completely isolated and used in chemical reactions. Keep in mind that you need to weigh your raw materials instead of measuring them. The amount of lick is based on the weight of the oil, not the ounce of liquid. Different oils have different densities. One cup of olive oil will not weigh as much as one cup of coconut oil. Weigh your ingredients before mixing to ensure proper proportions.