How Retro-Brite Works - Part 5: Is It Bleaching?

Bleach works by changing chromophore double and triple bonds to single bonds, which are typically non-chromophoric.Similarly, as peroxide decomposes into water and an oxygen radical, the radical breaks those double and triple bonds down to single bonds, just the same way as using bleach. So, it could be considered a "bleaching" process in the broadest sense. 

So why not just use bleach?

Well you could, but it will likely take you longer. If you look back at Part 2 at the oxidation potential table, you’ll find that bleach (sodium hypochlorite) has an oxidation potential of .94 volts verses an ozone atom of 2.42 volts. Its about 2.5x more “powerful” than bleach. Furthermore, bleach is 5-6% sodium hypochlorite, which from personal experimentation just isn't "powerful" enough to successfully de-yellow plastic. Household bleach just can't produce enough radicals to pack the punch needed. 

I hope that your enjoyed reading this series of posts. As an engineer, it is fun digging into questions like this, doing the research, asking questions, and finding answers. 

If you have questions, comments, or feedback on this post or any others, please email us at support@www.retro-brite.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Part 1: How Retro-Brite Works: Into/Summary

Part 2: How Retro-Brite Works: Understanding Oxidation Potential

Part 3: How Retro-Brite Works: Why Use Sunlight?

Part 4: How Retro-Brite Works: The Fate of Radicals