Simple Chemistry Experiments for High School Students Using Zeolites

Detergent industry has influenced all societies. The most important component in the detergent formulations is surfactant with the role of cleansing the fabrics. However, this ability will significantly decrease due to the water hardness. This research shows how adding zeolite into hard water can promote detergency performance of a powder detergent. To do that, two beakers containing the same amount of aqueous solutions of calcium chloride (as hard water samples) and commercial detergent were used. Then, two tea-stained cotton fabrics were dipped in the detergent solutions. Some zeolite powder (commercial MOR) was added to only one of the mentioned washing mediums. After ۱۰ minutes shaking, cotton fabrics were separated and washed with water. The results demonstrated the wonderful power of zeolite structure in cooperation with detergent to clean the fabric compared to one immersed in the solution without zeolite. In fact, zeolite framework could reduce the water hardness and enhance detergent performance by capturing calcium cations and played a role such as a builder. In order to access deep learning chemistry, this easy and simple experiment could be a safe method to practically educate the students in the laboratories.

کلیدواژه ها:

Zeolite ، Education ، Chemistry ، School ، Lab