Sciencemadness Discussion Board

easiest & most friendly buffer to play with, C6H8O7 or H3PO4 ?

edouard - 13-12-2008 at 23:12

hi,

i am messing with Na2CO3 water to shave and i am irritating my face for a few days now.

so i i consider buffering my causitc water.

i think that C6H8O7 or H3PO4 should work well without producing unfriendly by-products.

what should be the easiest to work with?

thanks

12AX7 - 14-12-2008 at 06:25

What is C6H8O7 referring to?

Tim

edouard - 14-12-2008 at 06:31

sorry

citric acid

unionised - 14-12-2008 at 07:32

If you are irritating your face I suspect you are using too much Na2CO3.

edouard - 14-12-2008 at 07:44

Quote:
Originally posted by unionised
If you are irritating your face I suspect you are using too much Na2CO3.


yes i do as i have a hard time finding the ideal concentration.

therefore i plane to along with this while buffering it.

what for a buffer would you suggest me to use?

woelen - 14-12-2008 at 12:05

I think that both should be without much problems. Acetic acid could be another option. Then you can use simple white vinegar.

bfesser - 14-12-2008 at 18:39

Use a carbonate-bicarbonate buffer system? :P You can't store it for long (aqueous), but if freshly prepared, it works. You might be able to store a mix of the carbonate and bicarbonate dry, then just add water to a little immediately before use. Keep in a tightly closed jar.

NaHCO<sub>3</sub> + Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>

edouard - 14-12-2008 at 19:35

Quote:
Originally posted by bfesser

NaHCO<sub>3</sub> + Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>


considering i will have to heat my water at around 80 deg Cel., won't NaHCO turn into Na2CO3 immediately?

not_important - 14-12-2008 at 20:20

Use bicarb alone, boil the water for several minutes to drive off excess CO2, then let cool slowly to the desired temperature, which allows calcium and magnesium carbonates to settle.

Or get a water softening unit.

bfesser - 15-12-2008 at 06:05

Seriously, though. Wouldn't these questions be better suited to a shaving forum?

Ramiel - 15-12-2008 at 20:45

May I recommend a shaving stick and avoiding multi-blade razors? I have a very vigorous beard, and shaving foam just doesn't cut it.

Not to mention the economy of paying $3 for enough shave stick to last for months!

also; <a href="http://www.lulu.com/content/769757">Gourmet Shaving?!</a>

edouard - 15-12-2008 at 22:49

Quote:
Originally posted by Ramiel
May I recommend a shaving stick and avoiding multi-blade razors? I have a very vigorous beard, and shaving foam just doesn't cut it.

Not to mention the economy of paying $3 for enough shave stick to last for months!

also; <a href="http://www.lulu.com/content/769757">Gourmet Shaving?!</a>


thanks

but i am actually wetshaving with a DE razor

and i cannot get the protecive & glidding lather, my water being hard, i triy to work around it