How to increase the solubility of sodium carbonate in water?
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I want to increase the solubility of sodium carbonate at 20°C. After doing some research, I found that surfactants might help enhance its solubility. I would appreciate it if the experts here could advise me on which surfactant would be most suitable. Thank you!
If you are referring to the solubility at solid-liquid equilibrium, rather than the dissolution rate, then give up on this attempt – it’s impossible. At 20 degrees Celsius, the solubility of sodium carbonate in water is about 17.8%. Meanwhile, its solubility is highest at 43 degrees Celsius, reaching approximately 33%. Almost no other additives can increase the solubility of sodium carbonate in water. Unless a thermal hydrolysis is carried out at several hundred degrees Celsius under dozens of atmospheres of pressure, causing some carbon dioxide to be released, the combined solubility of the remaining sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate will be somewhat higher.
As for the solubilizing effect of surfactants, I have no knowledge of it. Basically, there is a “salting-out effect” among various salts; that is, the presence of one salt reduces the solubility of another salt. At room temperature, the relative humidity of an aqueous sodium carbonate solution is about 88%, meaning that the water activity in the solution is 0.88. The addition of surfactants cannot increase the water activity; therefore, it is impossible to increase the solubility of sodium carbonate. Are you conducting scientific research, or making improvements to a certain process? What is the ultimate goal? My knowledge of thermodynamics or inorganic chemical engineering might be able to help you.
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Thank you for your help. I would like to prepare a water treatment agent aimed at increasing the concentration of these two substances in a water-based solution. The main components are sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide. If it’s not possible to increase their solubility, I’m wondering if there is a way to keep the crystals formed by these substances suspended in the liquid phase at low temperatures, so that they don’t settle, thereby facilitating transportation. Thank you!
The solubility can be increased by raising the temperature. Solubility is an inherent property of both the solvent and the solute; it depends only on temperature. Co-solvents merely act to enhance solubility by forming complexes or complexes with poorly soluble substances; they do not increase the solubility of sodium carbonate.