Principle of ammonium thioglycolate

Ammonium thioglycolate is a compound that acts as a reducing agent. It is less harmful than thioglycolic acid, so it is commonly used.

When used as a permanent wave agent, it breaks down proteins by cutting the disulfide bonds of cystine in keratin to sulfhydryl groups. This means that, in permanent waves, it prevents bent hair from trying to eliminate damage.

When acting as a rust remover, it can reduce rust. The reduced rust is chelated in the form of iron thioglycolate and becomes water-soluble. This water dissolution makes it easier to remove and can remove rust.

Therefore, the working principle of ammonium thioglycolate comes from its reduction.

In synthetic chemistry, ammonium thioglycolate solution can also be used for synthesis

 mercaptan functionalized eggshell membrane can be used as an adsorbent to remove Cr (VI), Hg (II), Cu (II), Pb (II) and Cd (II) and Ag (I from water

 Cellulose Rhodamine B-methylacrylamide (Cellulose RhBMA)

Types of ammonium thioglycolate

Ammonium thioglycolate itself is sold as a common chemical/chemical reagent. It is usually sold in the form of an aqueous solution with a concentration of 45.0~55.0%, 50%, 60%, etc. Volume specifications include 500mL, 1L, 25g and 500g. It is sold in glass containers. These chemicals can be stored at room temperature.

In industrial applications, it is also sold as a raw material for rust removal, in multi-barrel packages of 24 kg or 250 kg. Other products of ammonium thioglycolate include neutral rust remover and perm solution. Both are used as main ingredients, and many products are available from different manufacturers.

Did you know that ammonium thioglycolate is a chemical widely used in the hair industry. It acts as a reducing agent in the permanent wave formulation of hair treatment

It is human nature to always look different, among which women are more concerned with beauty and fashion & they are eager to find new ways to make their hair look different.

A century ago, you might have put a 24-pound rod of heated brass in your hair and put a solution of cow urine and water on it to create waves. This is a very difficult way to achieve wavy hair. Later, Mr. Willie Morrow perfected the art of perming excessive curls when he was the first to use Kopcolate-A (ammonium thioglycolate) cream to straighten and perm hair.