Compound Interest: Hydrogen Peroxide: Hair Dye, Glow Sticks & Rocket Fuels (2024)

FAQs

What chemical is commonly used in both hair dyes and glow sticks? ›

The inner compartment contains a chemical called hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). You may be familiar with hydrogen peroxide in hair dyes and bleaches. Once a glow stick is snapped, the compartments are broken allowing the chemicals to mix together.

The hydrogen peroxide concentration was between 0.4 and 2.4% in the investigated glow sticks. Analyses of glow sticks show that 69 – 99% of the contents were composed of the solvents that were analysed for.

Hydrogen peroxide is used in hair colouring products to achieve permanent colour changes. It acts as an oxidizing agent, which means it causes a chemical reaction that opens the hair cuticle to allow hair dye to penetrate the hair shaft.

Hydrogen peroxide decomposes when it meets chlorine, releasing molecules of oxygen, each of which has one electron in a high-energy state. When the electrons inevitably return to a low-energy state, the excess energy comes off as a photon of light, creating a glow.

The glow stick's outer plastic tube holds a solution of an oxalate ester and an electron-rich dye along with a glass vial filled with a hydrogen peroxide solution. The signature snap that starts the reaction signals that you've broken the glass tube, releasing the hydrogen peroxide.

An endothermic chemical reaction occurs. Peroxide and phenyl oxalate ester react to yield two moles of phenol and one mole of peroxyacid ester, which decomposes into carbon dioxide. The energy from the decomposition reaction excites the fluorescent dye, which releases light.

Once it's unleashed, H₂O₂ triggers a chemical chain reaction that puts the glow in the stick. The hydrogen peroxide reacts with these molecules in the outer tube to form a highly unstable compound that quickly breaks down into CO₂, releasing energy that excites the dyes and produces light.

The thin glass ampule in the lightstick contains dilute hydrogen peroxide. The ampule is surrounded by a solution containing a phenyl oxalate ester and a fluorescent dye. When the ampule is broken, the hydrogen peroxide and the oxalate ester react. A chemiluminescent reaction (a reaction that produces light) occurs.

The glow stick contains two chemicals, a base catalyst, and a suitable dye (sensitizer, or fluorophor). This creates an exergonic reaction. The chemicals inside the plastic tube are a mixture of the dye, the base catalyst, and diphenyl oxalate. The chemical in the glass vial is hydrogen peroxide.

Peroxide – What you need to know

In this capacity, it serves to lighten the natural colour of hair or to activate the colour molecules in hair dye. Peroxide or 'Hydrogen Peroxide' is simply just the chemical component found in both bleach and developer to help lighten hair.

Can I put straight hydrogen peroxide on my hair? ›

It can be used as a disinfectant and as bleach, including as a hair lightener. Because of this, hydrogen peroxide is an ingredient in many blonde hair dyes. While it's generally safe to use hydrogen peroxide on your skin and hair, it can cause skin, lung, and eye irritation.

To try out this method while mitigating the risk of damage, combine one cup of baking soda with no more than three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Mix it up and apply the paste to your hair, letting the mask sit 30 minutes for lighter hair and 45 minutes for darker.

Don't mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together in the same mixture. This can create peracetic acid, which may be toxic and can irritate your throat and lungs, eyes and skin. You can, however, alternate spraying hydrogen peroxide and vinegar on a surface. Just make sure to wipe the surface between sprays.

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a weak acid and baking soda (NaHCO₃) is a base compound. When you combine the two, there is an exothermic reaction that generates carbon dioxide gasses. The reaction helps break apart grease and organic stain molecules to make them easier to remove from surfaces.

The bleaching power of chlorine bleach is much stronger than oxygen bleach (commonly known as hydrogen peroxide) and can damage many fibres such as cotton and wool very quickly. Hydrogen peroxide is not as strong and can be less damaging to fibres. Both kill most bacteria. Both are used to brighten whites in laundry.

The outer tube is filled with dye, which determines the color of the glow stick, and a chemical called diphenyl oxalate. The glass within contains hydrogen peroxide, the same thing you might use to clean out a cut or scrape.

Resorcinol (or benzene-1,3-diol) is a chemical commonly used in hair color, hair dyes, skin peels, and during acne treatments. It reacts with the peroxide-containing developer to give the required color or shade.

After breaking, the tube is shaken to thoroughly mix the components. The glow stick contains two chemicals, a base catalyst, and a suitable dye (sensitizer, or fluorophor).

Diaminotoluene is chemically prepared from dinitrotoluene via a catalytic hydrogenation procedure or from the reaction of iron, hydrochloric acid, and dinitrotoluene. The two isomers, toluene-2,5-diamine 14 and toluene-3,4-diamine 15, are primary intermediates that can impart different colors to permanent hair dyes.