Title says it all.
What’s the mechanism by which static-y clothes suddenly go cling-free when blasted with those aerosol prays. Is it based on the same principle that dryer sheets use – whatever that is?
Virtually all anti-static products, whether dryer sheets, sprays, or hair conditioner, contain cationic surfactants called “quaternary ammonium compounds.” Suffice it to say that these are molecules that, due to their structure, always carry a positive charge. Because most static electricity problems involve an excess of electrons somewhere, the cationic surfactants are attracted to the static-plagued region. Because they are fairly large surfactant-type molecules, they stay there, neutralizing the charge and discouraging further build-up.
Interesting… Thanks.
But now I’m curious: Are there any hazards inherent in storing large quatities of those chemicals? It seems by the description that a big batch of this stuff would carry a large positive charge and a potential for mischief. Assuming that’s true, how is that risk mitigated without neutralizing the properties of the chemicals that make them useful? (If it’s not true, why not?)
Er…no. The quaternary amines are normally present as salts, with chloride or bromide as the anion. In water solution, the cations and anions just float around neutralizing each other at a distance, and the quats (as we call them) are free to pursue other negative charges. The chloride is NOT part of the molecule, but it’s always there.
So let me see if I have this straight:
• In solution, the anions and cations balance out, so no net charge.
• When sprayed, the quats seek out the large negative charge of the static-y item and neutralize it; and
• This leaves the anions in the erstwhile solution to fend for themselves, effectively transferring the negative charge from clingy item into the surrounding environment.
Did I get it?
Regardless, thanks for helping stamp out my ignorance… (It’s taking longer than you thought 