7.

SOAPS, SYIVTHMC SUtrAGTANTS, AND POLYIUEBS

7.2

195

SONPS AND SYNTHMC SUBFACTANTS

Soaps and s).nthetic surfactants have similar structures, and their mechanisms
of cleansing are similar Both contain a hy&ophobic porrion (usually a hydrocarbon chain) ro rvhich a hydrophilic (polar) group is artached. Such marerials

are surface active: that is, they concentrate at the surface of an aqueous
solurion or form aggregates called micelles (Figure 7-2) within the solution.
Surface-active materials lower rhe surface tension of the water so that the
rvater befier penetrates the surface and intersrices of the object being cleaned.
If the binding of rhe micelles of soap or synthetic surfactant to the substance
being cleaned is greater than the binding of rhe soiling agent, the latter will
rherr be rransfcrred into the micelles upon agitarion. Oils and greases,,vill also
be adsorbed by rhe hydrophobic end of rhe surface-active agent. The soiling
agent can be rvashed arvay because the affuriry clf rhe polar group of the
surfactant for rvater keeps the micelle-dirt complex sr,rspended in the water.
The foam covering many othenvise scenic rivers and streams was a source
of much public concern for many years. This environmenral problem was
caused by slorvly degrading syntheric surfacranrs and rvas probably the first
modern environmental problem to be solved as a result of public opinion.

+F

ryF

FIGURE 7-2 A Simplfied two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional micelle. The

hydrophobic hydrocarbon chails associate in the center of the micelle. Nonpolar substances
associate with the hydrocarbon chains of the micelle, become solubilized, and are removed from
the fabric.