An Overview of Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide, sometimes known as lye or caustic soda, is a highly corerosive ionic compound.

What Exactly is Sodium Hydroxide?

Sodium hydroxide is a potent chemical that goes by several names, including NaOH, lye, and caustic soda. Sodium hydroxide is frequently employed as an active agent in cleaning solutions, but it is also utilised in the production of textiles, cellophane, and paper. This chemical is extremely hazardous and can severely damage materials. Humans should avoid unprotected contact with sodium hydroxide since it can cause severe burns to the skin and major tissue damage if it gets in the eyes or is inhaled.

The chemical formula for sodium hydroxide is NaOH. It is an ionic compound because it contains a metal ion, sodium (Na⁺), which is attracted to a nonmetal ion, hydroxide (OH^–). It is white while solid and has a high melting point of 604.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite its high melting point, sodium hydroxide dissolves quite effectively in water. It is transparent when dissolved in water.

Sodium hydroxide is also a strong base, which is a chemical that splits apart in water to form a large number of hydroxide (OH^–) ions. Sodium hydroxide has a very high pH when dissolved in water and feels quite slippery. When sodium hydroxide is dissolved in water, it becomes the most corrosive.

Reaction of  Sodium Hydroxide dissolving in Water

Sodium hydroxide entirely dissolves in water, yielding one sodium ion and one hydroxide ion. The equation shown above represents this procedure. Despite the fact that this is not a chemical reaction, it is a very important feature of sodium hydroxide.

Reactions. of Sodium Hydroxide with Acids

When sodium hydroxide reacts with acids, it forms water and an ionic molecule. The hydroxide from sodium hydroxide combines with the hydrogen ion in the acid to form water in this type of reaction. The remaining acid reacts with the sodium ion from sodium hydroxide to form an ionic molecule. As   the reaction between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid, as well as a reaction showing how sodium hydroxide reacts with acids in general.

NaOH + HCl → H₂O + NaCl 

NaOH + HX →  H₂O + NaX

Reactions involving Dissolved Metals

Sodium hydroxide will form a solid when it reacts with certain dissolved metals. If the dissolved metals are poisonous or must be eliminated from the solution, this type of reaction is quite valuable. There are several methods for filtering solid compounds out of a solution. Dissolved copper combines with sodium hydroxide to form solid copper(II) hydroxide and sodium ions in this process. The solution’s blue copper(II) hydroxide can then be removed.

Preparation of Sodium Hydroxide 

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is one of the most strong bases. In laboratories and industry, it is one of the most regularly used alkali hydroxides. Electrolysis of a salt solution in a diaphragm or Mercury cell is the most frequent method of production. Making NaOH and other compounds involves only a few key operations.

Sodium hydroxide, which contains chlorine and hydrogen, is produced via the chlor alkali process. A sodium chloride aqueous solution is electrolyzed to do this. Sodium hydroxide forms at the cathode, where water is transformed to hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions.

2Na + 2H₂O + 2e- → H₂ + 2NaOH 

To make NaOH, it is required to keep the NaOH from interacting with the Cl₂. This is normally performed in one of three ways, the most cost-effective of which is the membrane cell technique.

1. By using a steel cathode, a porous diaphragm prevents Cl₂ from interacting with NaOH in a diaphragm cell. In the diaphragm cell approach, a permeable diaphragm divides the anode and cathode surfaces.
2. The cathode and anode processes are separated by a Nafion membrane in the membrane cell process. This procedure is quite similar to the diaphragm cell method. Only sodium ions and a small amount of water can pass through the barrier. It produces a higher-purity NaOH.
3. A mercury cathode creates sodium metal as an amalgam in the mercury cell process. The sodium is then allowed to react, resulting in NaOH.

The Health Risks of Sodium Hydroxide

1. Excessive exposure to sodium hydroxide can result in significant burns to the digestive system, lungs, eyes, and skin, culminating in lifelong damage or death.
2. The skin has been scorched, and the eyes have been harmed. The respiratory system can become inflamed, causing nasal mucosal surfaces to become irritated.
3. Even little doses can cause major problems, such as injury to mucous membranes in the throat, nose, bronchial system, and lungs.
4. Maintain a safe distance between your hands and your eyes, skin, and clothing. Mist, gases, aerosols, fumes, vapour, and dust should not be inhaled. Wear safety glasses, gloves, and clothes.
5. As it is an exothermic reaction, acids should never be mixed with NaOH.
6. Do not drink, eat, smoke, or use personal care products when working with chemicals.

Conclusion 

Sodium hydroxide is the most frequent strong base in the chemical industry. As a result, it has numerous uses in a variety of sectors.