A volunteer association of HNU College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering recently launched a “Chemistry makes life better” activity by experimenting with a cleanser to remove the stains on the desks in teaching buildings. This activity was prized as an outstanding project in the 2015 Lotus Students Campaign of Hunan Province.

The desk cleanser was firstly developed by an undergraduate of the college for the Student Innovation Training (SIT) program, mainly targeted at pen marks. Actually, the volunteers found, beyond that, food and pastels were very common in the stains and difficult to be removed. Thus, a research team was formed to improve the cleanser.

Instructed by Prof. Chen Dongcai, the team took samples of the stains for infrared spectrum analysis, and found out corresponding solvents according to the compositions. And with help of graduate student Liu Yanhong, they made targeted improvements towards the formula.

The upgraded desk cleanser is a compound of surfactant, strong oxidant, ethyl alcohol and water, which can be used to remove different stains through adjusting the formula. This cleanser is non-poisonous, easy to prepare, and low in cost, which makes it safe and convenient.

Before cleaning.

After cleaning.

Moreover, the volunteers also carried out a series of demonstrations and experiment activities about chemical liquid, to spread chemical knowledge to primary school and middle school students, as to enhance their witness of environmental protection. According to an incomplete statistics since Dec., 2014, Hunan University, Hunan Normal University, Changjun Bilingual School, Bocai Baihe Primary School, Zhangshumen and Primary School have been involved into the voluntary activities, covering more than 1290 participants.