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Matches have been around for an incredible amount of time. They are helpful now and then. Even the invention of instruments like gas lighters and electric lighters could not replace matches. Matches still have their own importance and serve their purpose. The first sulfur-based matches arrived in the 1200s, and phosphorous-soaked paper was used to strike them in the 1600s. Modern matches were invented in 1827 by English chemist John Walker, who created a mixture of chemicals that would light when a match was drawn on sandpaper. Antimony trisulfide was used in his matches, but phosphorus sulphide quickly replaced it.
History
By replacing the antimony sulphide in Walker’s matches with white phosphorus, Charles Sauria, a French scientist, produced the first phosphorus-based match in 1830. However, these matches had troubles like, sometimes, they could not generate light due to lack of white phosphorus and were hazardous for our health, despite being considerably easier to light.
The danger of white phosphorus was slowly discovered. It was revealed that long-term exposure to white phosphorus by individuals who made the matches caused ‘phossy jaw,’ a condition that resulted in toothaches, gum swelling, deformity, and eventually brain damage. The sole option for treatment was to have the jaw bone removed. White phosphorus was eventually outlawed in 1906 as information about its toxicity became available.
Alternatives for use in matches have previously been investigated prior to the ban. Anton Schrötter von Kristelli observed in 1845 that heating white phosphorus or exposing it to sunshine transformed it into red phosphorus. This is a non-toxic form of the element that is technically not an allotrope but rather a transitional state between white phosphorus and another allotrope, violet phosphorus. Following that, red phosphorus was used instead of white phosphorus to develop safety matches.
Safety matches
You can now choose between regular and safety matches. Both take advantage of phosphorus compounds’ reactivity, but safety matches must be drawn on a particular surface to ignite.
In 1831, phosphorus sulphide replaced antimony sulphide, which was commonly used in matches at the time. The resulting matches burned well, but the fumes were so toxic that the use of white phosphorus in matches was finally prohibited. The discovery of red phosphorus, an allotrope that isn’t hazardous, made match use much safer a few years later.
Phosphorus sulphide, which is only formed with red phosphorus, is commonly found in modern strike-anywhere match heads. This chemical is not found in the heads of safety matches, but it is found in the abrasive strip on the side of the box. The red phosphorus is responsible for lighting the match.
Chemicals used in Strike
As discussed above, both strike-anywhere matches and safety matches involve the use of phosphorous compounds to ignite. The difference lies in the fact that strike-anywhere matches contain the phosphorus compound in their head while safety matches do not.
Like the safety matches, the strike-anywhere match heads also include potassium chlorate, an oxidising agent, but in addition to phosphorus sulphide. During combustion, it decomposes and provides oxygen to the phosphorus reaction, causing the match to burn brighter. Another popular constituent is tetraphosphorus trisulfide, commonly known as phosphorus sesquisulfide. It’s a phosphorus compound that doesn’t contain white phosphorus and can be used in place of or in addition to phosphorus sulphide. The list of materials in these match heads is completed with glass powder and a binder.
Phosphorous is not present in the heads of safety matches
If you’ve ever attempted to light a safety match on sandpaper, you know it will not work because the only ingredients in the heads of these matches are sulphur, potassium chlorate, fillers, and glass powder. The heat of friction changes a small quantity of the red phosphorus in the surface to white phosphorus, which spontaneously ignites when you strike it on the abrasive surface on the side of the matchbox. The heat from the potassium chlorate oxidation reaction burns the sulphur in the match head, and the subsequent spark starts the potassium chlorate oxidation reaction.
To prevent afterglow, the match stick is dipped in ammonium phosphate during its manufacture. Along with this, paraffin is also added as an additional compound. This allows the match stick to keep on burning. Glass powder and a binder are also present in safety match heads.
Conclusion
When you strike the match, a small amount of red phosphorus on the striking surface is transformed into white phosphorus, causing an ignition. The heat ignites the potassium chlorate, and the match head catches fire. The match stick is bathed in ammonium phosphate, which prevents ‘afterglow’ after the flame has gone out, and paraffin, which guarantees that it burns quickly throughout the process.
