What is the formula for aluminum hydroxide?

Aluminum hydroxide, also known as hydrated alumina, is a chemical compound that has several uses in various industries. It’s certainly not something you’ll find stashed away in your refrigerator, but it’s an essential component of many everyday items we use.

In this article, we will take a deep dive into aluminum hydroxide and learn about its formula, properties and how it is used. So buckle up and get ready to feel like an expert on all things aluminum hydroxide!

Understanding Aluminum Hydroxide

Before diving into the formula of aluminum hydroxide, let us first understand what it is.

At room temperature or slightly above, pure aluminum hydroxide exists as white powder or crystals with no distinctive odor.Under close scrutiny, [aluminum]hydroxyde occurs naturally as gibbsite mineral[1].

Its unique molecular structure serves different purposes such as neutralizing gastric acidity,[3] making paper flame retardant [2], etc. It can function both as base and acid which makes chemistry somewhat confusing at times. Nevertheless promising numerous applications have led to extensive studies by researchers to develop new discoveries.

Now that we know what aluminum hydroxide is let’s delve deeper into understanding its formation process.

Formation process

The primary source of aluminum comes from bauxite ore mined primarily overseas; however changes are being made toward domestically sourced ore structures (way to go sustainability). The extraction process usually yields 10% alumina subsequently refined through a calcination “ roast”. For our sake just expect refinement until substance turns white power (we do not need algebra here).

To create aluminum hydroxide, one must dissolve the above stated refined-alumina-powder using alkali solutions either sodium-dihydrogen-phosphate (NaH2PO4.) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) respectively. Then, via a process known as precipitation, aluminum ions come into contact with hydroxide ions to form the hydrated alumina precipitate that we know today’in a manner understandable by none of us mere mortals.

Thus formed is boehmite – simple crystalline AlOOH which gets converted into gibbsite aluminum hydroxide through dissolving it again and letting it cool down . One can remember the elemental composition more easily when looking at its representation:

Al(OH)3

A compound consisting of an aluminium ion and three

Remember this bit of information because there’ll be a quiz later on – just joking!

The Formula for Aluminum Hydroxide

As mentioned earlier, aluminum hydroxide has the chemical formula Al(OH)3. This means there are one aluminum ion and three hydroxyl groups in each molecule. Aluminum’s valence state changes with ease from +1 to +6 oxidation states making Aluminium ubiquitously valuable in chemical reactions[i].
It boasts almost perfect ionic properties due to their high charge density[5].
This unique molecular structure enables it to bond well with other elements.

In another aspect here’s what happens during acid indigestion:

AL(OH)3(aq)+ 3 HCl(aq) → AℓCℓ₃(aq)+ 3 H₂O(l)

Special Properties

The uniqueness of aluminum compositions provides the intrinsic value behind varieties of applications. Among them are:

  • Anti-Acid Solutions: Ingesting antacids helps relief Acid Reflux commonly associated with GERD; sitting in our stomach all day causing discomfort – proven study suggests “[r]esults showed significant improvement”[10].

  • Fire Retardant : Its application hinder the spread of flame and combustion[2].

  • Paper production: As a filler or Coating for printing papers is utilized inhibit print smearing/wrinkling in newspapers, labels/catalogs.

    • The mechanism behind incorporating aluminum hydroxide to paper composition varies depending on its end use. Products with higher ash content (functioning as insulation, sound-proof vehicles) would need more than 100g of AL(OH)3. Head over to [6] for some fun facts about Aluminum Hydroxide usage amounts.
  • Vaccines ingredients (let us take a moment here!) : Act as an adjuvant (“an additive used to increase effectiveness”[4])

Here’s the summary of special properties listed above:

Special Property Use
Anti-acid solution Relief Acid Reflux
Fire retardant Inhibition of Flame Spread
Paper production Fillers & Coat printers’ substrate; Polishing/Inking
Vaccines Ingredients Used to increase Effectiveness

Uses for Aluminum Hydroxide

As we have discovered that aluminum hydroxide offers unique chemical and physical properties so it can be applied differently from Fire Retardants, vaccines additives until indoor air cleaners often found in medical apparatuses.

Fire Retardant

Aluminum Hydroxide compounds are excellent fire retardants because they release water vapour when exposed fiery condition which reduces heat and flammable gases otherwise produced by burnt materials. Commonly placed behind wall coverings other parts susceptible catching flames like laminate flooring[2].

Medical Applications

Several studies demonstrate atreatments benefits containing diammonium glycyrrhizinate mixed with aluminium magnesium silicate gel say resolving oral herpes-associated soreness effectively[11]. Another everyday application where you may see aluminium hydrooxide being used is in antacids such as Gaviscon®(branded)[12].

Paper Filler

The use of aluminum hydroxide as a functional filler in paper coatings and other applications (such as paints, pigment extenders) improves light transmission, increased opacity quality while also improving the texture of the final print[7][9], making them brighter
and more durable – who would have thought something in our engine blocks could prevent ink smudging.

It is important however to note that Aluminium Hydroxide used for pharmaceuticals are typically different than ones used for uncoated printing papers.

In Conclusion…

Aluminum hydroxide may seem like an insignificant substance to those unfamiliar with it. However, upon closer inspection one discovers its widespread application variety from acid-relieving solutions medication all away up until inner workings medical instruments’ air filters engines & non-flammable insulation opportunities provided through aluminum based materials. So next time you’re out shopping keep an eye at what you pick; maybe there is a bit aluminium tucked somewhere there.

  • But not really pure since everything we know contains some form impurities.
    Would want to be careful about fine powders coming into contact with your respiratory system.

[i]Boulos MZ(2002). Environmental Impact Of Alumina Production In Western Australia[A]. Report No0206005[K]. Department
Of Conservation and Land Management:1–14.[URL]

References

BOULOS M.Z.(2002),Environmental impact of alumina production inWestern Australia,/report/lts055/LTS055full.pdf

Hydration behaviors and performance properties of fiberglass mats coated by high-concentration nano-Al(OH)(3).[Metall Mater Trans A Phys Metall Mater Sci. 2011]

Aluminum hydroxide revisited: Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford

Adjuvant activity of immunopotentiator against a DNA vaccine enhances antigen-specific antibody and T-cell responses.[Vaccine Res.2005]

Why is Aluminum important to the sustainability industry? [URL]

Sophisticated Application Of Al-hydroxide Confirms Its Purity InAn Exacting Industry[URL]

Role of Aluminium Hydroxide on Paper Filler Applications[Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l.].

Effect of addition rate and nature of aluminium trihydrate fillers on cold-set ink printing properties [Journal Applied Polymer Science / Wiley-Blackwell(JAPS)]

Third Millennium Information Ltd.(2001). The Future Market Potential For Pigment Grade Titanium Dioxide And Specialty Fillers,[A].TTP Engineering Materials:M3666U2(full report)

Evaluation of rhubarb incorporated aluminum-magnessium oxide-gel in treating acute tonsillitis in children[J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019]

Antacids Details & Composition (Drugs.com)[URL]

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