Aluminium chlorohydrate: Preparation and uses

The inorganic polymer with the molecular formula Al2ClH7O6 is called aluminium chlorohydrate. The general formula for this compound is AlnCl(3n-m)(OH)m. The molecular mass of this compound is 192.463 g/mol. The hydrogen bond donor count of aluminium chlorohydrate is six and its hydrogen bond accepter count seven and is a compound with a high charge. This is also why aluminium chlorohydrate is preferred over other aluminium salts for water purification, because its high charge makes it effective at destabilizing and removing suspended materials.

Synthesis or commercial preparation of aluminium chloride:
Commercial preparation of this water soluble aluminium salt is done by reacting aluminium with hydrochloric acid (HCl). The aluminium for this reaction can be obtained by various compounds like aluminium hydrate, aluminium chloride, aluminium metal etc. To prevent the large production of explosive hydrogen, generally, aluminium hydrate is used in this reaction. The compound exists in both powered and liquid state. Both powdered aluminium chlorohydrate suppliers and liquid aluminium chlorohydrate suppliers are easily available online.

Various uses of aluminium chlorohydrate:
•    Aluminium chlorohydrate is used as antiperspirants. It is an active ingredient used in deodorants. When aluminium chlorohydrate comes in contact with the skin the aluminium ion tend to permeate into the top layer of the eccrine gland sweat ducts along with water. This causes the cells to swell, squeezing the ducts closed so that the sweat cannot get out. It reduces the amount of sweat produced on the surface of the skin this compound also prohibits the growth of malodor-producing bacteria, thus, also reduce underarm odor.
•    Aluminium chlorohydrate is also used in water and waste management processes in wastewater treatment plants as a coagulant. It is used to remove the dissolved organic matter and minute impurities, by causing them to come together so they can be removed without difficulty.

Aluminium chlorohydrate is rumored to cause breast cancer. While there is no scientific evidence that chemicals used in deodorants, including aluminium chlorohydrate, can cause breast cancer. It is found that the skin only absorbs 0.0021% of aluminium chlorohydrate which also concludes that it might not be a reason to cause breast cancer. But still for precautions it is advised to use in limited concentrations. If you want to buy aluminium chlorohydrate or a deodorant with aluminium chlorohydrate as an ingredient, make sure that its concentration is up to 25%. It was also believed that long term use of aluminium chlorohydrate to cause Alzheimer's disease. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.

Aluminium chlorohydrate, as a chemical, is easily available all across the country. You can also find aluminium chlorohydrate exporters online. For industrial purposes, like any cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries, aluminium chlorohydrate can be bought in bulk in either liquid or powdered form. Since the compound has not been proven, its usage seems safe.

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