Stains & Fabrics: Investigating Bonding Interactions

[gingerelle]

Homework Statement

So there are three fabrics with various stains, and you must figure out what type of bonding/interaction takes place between the stain and the fabric.

Cotton: has lipstick, grass, charcoal, and..invisible potassium iodide stain
Nylon: lipstick, charcoal, grass
PVC (polyvinylchloride) : lipstick, charcoal, (not sure about grass)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

cotton: chlorophyll's positive centre forms dipole bond with negative atom in cellulose/cotton (or does the chlorophyll hydrogen bond with cellulose? not sure)
eosin hydrogen bonds with cellulose
charcoal = no idea...carbon bonds with oxygen? dipole bonding?
potassium iodide = no idea again...

nylon: stains same interaction as on cotton

PVC:
charcoal = again, not sure. charcoal's giving me problems

lipstick = eosin (negatively charged) bonds to the carbon in the polymer chain

((pvc I'm not sure about either, it could have something to do with the plasticizer dibutyl phthalate)).

 

[nate808]

Thank you for posting your question regarding the bonding/interaction between stains and fabrics. I would like to offer some insight and potential explanations for the observations you have made.

Firstly, it is important to note that there are various types of bonding and interactions that can occur between molecules. Some common types include hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces. In the case of stains and fabrics, it is likely that a combination of these interactions are taking place.

Starting with cotton, which is primarily composed of cellulose, it is possible that the positively charged centre of chlorophyll is forming a dipole bond with the negatively charged oxygen atoms in the cellulose. Additionally, eosin, which is a negatively charged molecule, may form hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups in cellulose. As for the charcoal stain, it is possible that the carbon in the charcoal is forming dipole bonds with the oxygen atoms in the cellulose. However, further analysis would be needed to determine the exact bonding interactions.

Moving on to nylon, which is a synthetic polymer, it is likely that the same interactions observed in cotton are also occurring here. The lipstick, charcoal, and grass stains may all be forming dipole or hydrogen bonds with the nylon molecules.

PVC, on the other hand, is a type of plastic and may have different interactions with stains compared to fabrics. The lipstick stain, which is primarily composed of oils and waxes, may interact with PVC through London dispersion forces. As for the charcoal stain, it is possible that the carbon in the charcoal is forming dipole bonds with the chlorine atoms in the PVC. However, without further information about the specific composition of the PVC, it is difficult to determine the exact bonding interactions.

In conclusion, the bonding/interaction between stains and fabrics is a complex topic and requires a deeper understanding of the chemical properties of both the stains and fabrics. I hope this response has provided some insight and potential explanations for your observations. Thank you for your question and happy experimenting!

 

[Blueshift5]

I would suggest conducting experiments to determine the specific bonding interactions between the stains and fabrics. This could involve using techniques such as infrared spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction to analyze the chemical bonds present in the stains and fabrics. Additionally, testing different solvents to see which ones are able to remove the stains could also provide insight into the bonding interactions. It is also important to consider the chemical properties of each stain and fabric, such as polarity and functional groups, in order to make predictions about potential bonding interactions. Further research and experimentation is needed to fully understand the bonding interactions between stains and fabrics.