Chemistry Investigatory Project Aryaan

lOMoARcPSD|19571932

CHEMISTRY INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
2022-2023

PROJECT TITLE:
THE DETERMINATION OF THE
AMOUNT OF PHOSPHATE IN
DETERGENTS

NAME – AAGHASH AS
CLASS – XII-C6
 lOMoARcPSD|19571932

CONTENTS

1. 4
Aim
2 Requirements 4
.
3 Abstract 5
.
4. Theory 6
5 Procedure 13
.
• Preparation of the Detergent Sample 14
• Color Development 15
• Analysis of the Solutions 15
6 Calculations 16
.
7 Results and Discussion 17
.
8 Precautions 20
.
9 Conclusion 21
.
10. Bibliography 22
3
AIM -:
To determine the amount of phosphate found in detergents.

REQUIREMENTS -:
• APPARATUS: Spectrophotometer, Erlenmeyer
flask (125 ml), Two Beakers, Volumetric Flasks (4) –
50 ml, 100 ml, 250 ml, Pipettes (4) – 2 ml, 5 ml, 10
ml.

• CHEMICALS: Ammonium Vanadomolybdate

Reagent, Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4), Antifoaming
Agent (Liquid DRP Silicone Antifoam).
ABSTRACT -:
In this experiment, you will examine various detergents for
phosphates and compare your result with the value on the
label. Record the name of the detergent, the amount of
phosphate/STPP or phosphorous indicated on the label and
the recommended amount for a load of wash. With this
information, we can determine which detergent analyzes for
the highest or lowest phosphate/STPP (or phosphorous) levels
and which uses the most and least phosphate/STPP (or
phosphorous) per load.
Most of the chemicals used in this experiment can be put
down the drain. However, the color developed solutions
contain heavy metals such as Vanadium (V) and
Molybdenum (Mo). It is very important to put them in the
aqueous waste container.
THEORY -:
Phosphorus is the eleventh most abundant element on the
surface of the Earth and is mostly found as phosphate. In nature,
phosphate rocks include Fluorapatite [3Ca3(PO4)2.CaF2],
Chlorapatite [3Ca3 (PO4)2.CaCl2], Hydroxyapatite
[3Ca3(PO4)2.Ca(OH)2] and Calcium Iron Phosphate
[Ca2Fe(PO4).4H2O]. Fluorapatite is the chief ore of
Phosphorus.
The phosphorus is removed from the ore by first grinding it to
remove large lumps, and then heating it in a mixture with sand
(silica, SiO2) and coke (carbon). The reactions take place at
o
around 1500 C using an electric arc furnace. The key reaction
is-
2Ca3 (PO4)2 + 6SiO2 + 10C → 6CaSiO3 + 10CO + P4

6
The product, which is white, can be converted into red
phosphorus by heating at 400oC for some hours. Phosphates
are added to detergents as builders in the form of Sodium
Tripolyphosphate (STPP, Na5P3O10) and Tetrasodium
Pyrophosphate (TSPP, Na4P2O7).

The excessive use of phosphate as water softeners is

criticized by environmentalists, since it contributes to water
pollution. The phosphates in domestic waste water pass
through sewage disposal systems into rivers and lakes. There
they nourish bacteria, which grow excessively and deplete the
water of dissolved oxygen, thus killing fish. The phosphates
may also produce massive overgrowth of water plants. When
this crop of plant dies, there will be excessive decay and
putrefaction, which may also kill the fish. In addition,
excessive phosphates are known to accelerate the natural
aging of lakes (Eutrophication). They enter waterways as
runoff from agricultural lands as fertilizer and as human and
animal waste.
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 lOMoARcPSD|19571932

The largest source of phosphorus entering the environment

is synthetic detergents, which contain phosphate
compounds to soften water, increase the pH of water and
increase surfactant efficacy.

In the mid 1960s, many of the nations’ rivers and lakes

were
rapidly turning green and choking with aquatic plant growth.
It was later observed that the primary reason for these
deleterious changes in water quality was the high levels of
phosphorus found in domestic and municipal sewage
effluents. The principal source of effluent phosphorus was
from phosphates used in laundry detergents. Half the
phosphorus input to lakes Erie and Ontario came from
municipal and industrial sources of which 50% to 70% came
from detergents. Over half of the phosphorus input to the
Potomac Estuary also came from detergents in municipal and
industrial effluents. It was generally agreed that detergents
accounted for about 50% of the waste water nationwide.
8
According to a study on phosphates in Germany in 1975,
some 60% of the phosphate contained in municipal sewage
originated from detergents and cleansers. As a consequence
of the partial removal of phosphate in sewage treatment
plants and the input of phosphates by other sources (human
excretion, food industry, agricultural fertilizers), the share of
detergent phosphates in surface waters was estimated to be
about 40%. This balance showed already that the reduction of
phosphates in detergent is an important but not the sole factor
in solving the eutrophication problem of surface waters.

Detergent is a synthetic substance, which has the ability to

clean an object which is not prepared by saponifying fats and
oils. A detergent may be regarded as a surface-active agent
(surfactant) particularly effective in dislodging foreign matter
from soiled surfaces and retaining it in suspension.

9
The formulation of synthetic laundry detergents consists of a
surfactant, a builder, and other miscellaneous ingredients
including brighteners, perfumes, anti – re-deposition agents
and sometimes enzymes.

The surfactant is a surface-active agent, which dissolves

partly in water and partly in organic solvent because of its
dual hydrocarbon and polar character. As a wetting agent, it
enables dirt to float off the fabric surfaces. Surfactants
decrease the surface tension of water so that they penetrate
the surface and interstices of the object being cleaned and
thus remove the dirt. Alkyl Benzene Sulphonates (ABS) are
considered as the most commonly used surfactants. Through
public pressure, however, manufacturers have changed to the
biodegradable Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonates (LABS).

10
Phosphates perform many functions in washing powders and
detergents. They soften hard water by binding with calcium
ions and magnesium ions. In this way, they prevent the lime
in water from depositing or settling on the textile fibre. If the
water is hard and contains dissolved lime, its ability to
dissolve soap decreases and the cleansing powder
deteriorates. Treating hard water with Trisodium Phosphate
(Na3PO4) leads to a highly soft water of approximately 0.03
-3
mg eq dm with the chemical reactions shown below –

3Ca (HCO3)2 + 2Na3PO4 → Ca3 (PO4)2 + 6NaHCO3

From Hard Water

3MgCl2 + 2Na3PO4 → Mg3 (PO4)2 + 6NaCl

From Hard Water

11
Moreover, phosphates stabilize the alkalinity of the
surfactants. They keep the dissolved dirt in the water and
prevent it from penetrating back into clothes.

Phosphorus, which is an important plant nutrient, occurs

widely in the environment. In the aqueous environment, the
phosphorus greatly encourages microbial growth which is
undesirable. The determination of phosphorus is, therefore of,
importance of chemical analysts and limnologists. Detergents,
sewage and fertilizers are known to be the major sources of
phosphorus and the level of 0.03 – 0.40 mg dm-3 of total
inorganic phosphate had become the maximum acceptable
level in water.
Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) is a solid inorganic
compound used in a large variety of household cleaning
products, mainly as a builder, but also in human foodstuffs,
animal feeds, industrial cleaning processes and ceramics
manufacture. It is widely used in regular and compact laundry
detergents, automatic dishwashing detergents, toilet cleaners
and surface cleaners, and
provides a number of functions including sequestration of
<water hardness= enabling surfactants to function
effectively, pH
buffering, dirt emulsification and prevention of
deposition, hydrolysis of grease and dissolving –
dispersing dirt.
12
PROCEDURE -:
There are two parts to this analysis – First, the phosphate
which is present as Sodium Tripolyphosphate must be broken
down (hydrolyzed) to phosphate (a stoichiometric mixture of
disodium phosphate, Na2HPO4, and monosodium phosphate,
NaH2PO4).

Na5P3O10 + 2H2O → 2Na2HPO4 + NaH2PO4

Then, the resulting solution must be diluted and treated

with a reagent, Ammonium Vanadomolybdate, to form
yellow Ammonium Phosphoric Vanadomolybdate.
13

.
Secondly, the intensity of the color depends on the
concentration of the phosphate and the solutions are analyzed
with a spectrophotometer by comparison to a calibration
curve.
• Composition of Ammonium Vanadomolybdate:
Na %
me Composition
Water 88.2
Perchloric Acid, 70% w/w 8.8
Ammonium Molybdate Tetrahydrate 2
Ammonium Metavanadate 1

PREPARATION OF THE DETERGENT SAMPLE –

1. Place 1.0 g of the detergent in an Erlenmeyer flask. Add one drop

of an antifoaming agent and 25 ml of 15% Sulphuric Acid
(H2SO4). Put excess H2SO4 in the aqueous waste container.

2. Cover the flask with an inverted beaker or watch glass.

Suspend the flask in a larger beaker of water, which contains a
few boiling chips, on a hot plate in the hood.

14
 3. Boil the water for 30 minutes, replenishing evaporated water
as needed. Allow to cool and transfer the contents to a 250 ml
volumetric flask. Rinse out the flask several times with distilled
water, pouring the rinses into the volumetric flask. Finally,
dilute the solution to the mark with distilled water. Invert and
mix thoroughly.

4. Use a 2.0 ml pipette to transfer 2.0 ml of this solution to a 100 ml

volumetric flask and fill to the mark with distilled water. This is
the dilute phosphate solution to be used in the color
development step.

COLOR DEVELOPMENT –

1. Use a 10.0 ml pipette to measure out 10.0 ml of the dilute

phosphate solution from the detergent. Put it into a 50 ml
beaker.

2. Likewise, measure out 10.0 ml of each of the three standard

solutions prepared using detergents of various brands and put
into 50 ml beakers.

3. Use a 5.0 ml pipette to add 5.0 ml of Ammonium

Vanadomolybdate solution to each beaker. Stir the solutions
and allow 10 minutes for the color to develop.

ANALYSIS OF THE SOLUTIONS–

1. Turn on the spectrophotometer and let it warm up for at least

15 minutes.

2. Set the wavelength to 415 nm.

3. With nothing in the sample chamber, adjust the meter to

read 0% transmittance with the left – hand knob.

15
 4. Insert a cuvette with distilled water. Close the cover and set
the meter to 100% transmittance with the right – hand knob.

5. Measure the absorbance of each of the standard solution

prepared. Record each absorbance with the corresponding %
phosphorus listed on the label. These percentages
correspond directly to levels of phosphorus present in
detergents.

CALCULATIONS -:
-3
The total amount of phosphate ρP in mg dm is
calculated according to the formula –

ρp = n. (A – A0).Vmax
f. VS

Where
A: Absorbance of the sample.
A0 : Absorbance of the blank solution.
3 -1
f: Slope of the curve (dm mg ).

16
Vmax: Volume of the volumetric flask (50 ml).
VS : Actual volume of the sample.
n=1

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION -:

S. Sample Concentratio Phosphat Absorban

No. n e ce
Bran of Phosphate in % /
d

(mg dm-3 / Standard

pp Deviatio
m) n
1. Henko 4.27 0.0427 ± 0.525545
Matic 0.001

2. Uni Wash 4.05 0.040 0.498375

5
±0.001
3. Super 3.09 0.030 0.379815
9
Nirma Blue ±0.000

4. Henko 1.40 0.014 0.1711

0
Stain ±0.000
Champion
17
A somewhat linear relationship was found to exist between
the absorbance of the system and concentration of phosphate
(1.40 – 4.27 mg dm-3) with a straight line almost passing
through the origin. The equation of the straight line has a
2
correlation (R ) of 0.9963 with the equation y = 0.1235x –
0.0018.

The effect of the changes of ionic strength of the solution on

the absorption process of the technique was under – taken and
it was noted that ionic strength does not affect the
methodology. This can be seen from the graph of
absorbance/ionic strength. Also, the study on the effect of pH
gave the plot as shown below. This shows that there is no
need for strict pH control when an analysis of this nature is
being carried out.
18
2

On estimating the phosphate concentrations in each

detergent samples from various brands, it was discovered
that there were inconsistent variations in the phosphate
levels from one company to another. The detergent samples
of the brands taken are as follows –
• Henko Matic (STPP – 7%)

• Uni Wash (STPP – 5.1%)

• Super Nirma Blue (STPP – 4.5%)

• Henko Stain Champion (STPP – 4.3%)

19
For high efficiency washers, it is advised to use 2 tablespoons
of detergent while regular top – load washers require up to 4
tablespoons.

PRECAUTIONS -:
1. Rinse the pipette with distilled water as soon as you
are done with it.

2. The color developed solutions must be put in the

aqueous waste container as they contain heavy metals
like Vanadium (V) and Molybdenum (Mo).

3. Excess Ammonium Vanadomolybdate should also be put

in the aqueous waste container.

20
CONCLUSION -:
The results indicated that there is a significant variation in
terms of the phosphate levels between detergents of various
companies. This study has revealed that continuous use of
these products could result in an increase in the phosphate
levels in laundry discharges into soil, ponds, lakes and rivers.
An excessive amount of phosphorus has long been implicated
in the eutrophication of surface water bodies.
Therefore, to promote lake/river recovery and improve
trophic status, it is recommended that phosphorus loads
entering the surface waters are reduced.

21
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. M. Phillip, Advanced Chemistry (Physical and

Industrial) Published in South Asia by Foundation
Books, New Delhi (2003).

2. Chris Knud – Hansen, Conflict Research

Consortium (1994).

3. Chemistry Textbook Part - 1 for Class - 12 – 12086 by

NCERT.

4. E – Resources –

• SeminarsOnly: www.seminarsonly.com

• TSI Journals: www.tsijournals.com

• Michigan Reach Out: www.reachoutmichigan.org

• ELTE TTK – Institute of Chemistry: www.chemistry,elte.hu

• Department of Consumer Affairs: www.consumeraffairs.nic.in

• HERA (Human And Environmental Risk Assessment

on Ingredients of Household Cleaning Projects):
www.heraproject.com

• LabChem: www.labchem.com

• Fagerberg: www.fagerberg.dk

• Wikipedia: www.en.wikipedia.org

• Google Images: www.images.google.com

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