What are the factors that affect the solubility of SDS A presentation by: Lyndsey, Jordy and Jen
Research questions How does the polarity of the solvent affect the solubility of the solute? How does the temperature of the solvent affect the solubility of the solute?
Variables Dependent Variables Degree of solubility Independent Variables Temperature Polarity of Solvent Controlled Variables Mass of Solute Volume of Solvent Sample Solute Time
Sodium Dodecyl sulfate (SDS) Non-Polar Polar Anionic surfactant Amphiphilic Lowers the surface tension of aqueous solutions Used primarily in: soaps and detergents
The solvents Water Strongly Polar Solution Isopropyl Alcohol Vegetable Oil Non-Polar Solution
What is “soluble”? Dissociation of salt Lack of visible crystals 1g dissolves in 100mL
Method 100mL of solvent (water, isopropyl alcohol or vegetable oil) was measured into a 400 mL beaker that contained a stir bar The solvent was cooled/heated to the desired temperature 1 g of SDS was added to the beaker The solution was allowed to stir for 30s After 30s the solution was examined to determine if there was a homogeneous mixture
Results Insoluble Soluble Temperature 4°C RT 40°C 70°C Water Vegetable Oil Isopropanol
observations: Water Temperature: 4°C Insoluble Room Temperature
observations: Water Temperature: 40°C Temperature: 70°C Soluble
observations: isopropyl alcohol Temperature: 4°C Soluble Room Temperature Soluble
observations: isopropyl alcohol Temperature: 40°C Soluble Temperature: 70°C Soluble
Observations: vegetable oil Temperature: 4°C Insoluble Room Temperature Insoluble
Observations: vegetable oil Temperature: 40°C Insoluble Temperature: 70°C Insoluble
Analysis: Common Trends The solubility of SDS in a nonpolar solution was independent of the temperature of the solution No clear trends were visible for polar solutions due to insufficient data SDS is mostly soluble in polar solutions SDS is insoluble in nonpolar solutions
Sources of error Errors associated with measurement Inconsistent room temperature Inconsistent stirring speed Production of bubbles from surfactant Influences the solubility determination
Improvements Require: Quantitative Analysis Determine the maximum concentration of the solute able to dissolve in the solvent at the given temperature Better regulation of temperature Purity of Solvent Investigation of Common Ion Effect by way of different solvents
Conclusion SDS is soluble in polar solutions at a variety of temperatures SDS is insoluble in nonpolar solutions The structural properties of isopropyl alcohol contain polar and nonpolar ends allowing it to associate with the amphiphilic properties of SDS resulting in a lack of bubbles