High-Purity Solvents, Personal Care

NTA-3Na (Trisodium Nitrilotriacetate)

Trisodium Nitrilotriacetate (NTA-3Na) is a highly efficient chelating agent belonging to the aminopolycarboxylic acid family. It is chemically defined as the trisodium salt of nitrilotriacetic acid and is valued for its ability to form stable, water-soluble complexes with polyvalent metal ions, including calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper. By sequestering these ions, NTA-3Na prevents the precipitation of insoluble salts and inhibits unwanted catalytic reactions in chemical processes.

The compound is available primarily in two forms: a white crystalline powder (monohydrate) and a concentrated aqueous solution. Historically, NTA-3Na gained prominence as a robust, biodegradable alternative to phosphates in detergent formulations. Its versatility is further demonstrated by its stability across a broad pH range and its effectiveness in high-temperature industrial environments. Today, it remains a critical component in sectors ranging from industrial cleaning and water treatment to textile processing and pulp bleaching, where precise control over metal ion concentration is essential for product quality and process efficiency.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

High Sequestration Capacity: Provides exceptional binding power for hard water ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺), significantly enhancing the performance of surfactants and preventing mineral scale.
Excellent Solubility: Exhibits high solubility in water (~600 g/L at 25°C), allowing for the formulation of highly concentrated liquid products.
Biodegradability: Unlike many synthetic chelants, NTA is considered readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions, reducing its long-term environmental footprint.
Wide pH Stability: Remains chemically stable and active in both highly acidic and strongly alkaline environments, offering formulation flexibility.
Synergistic Effects: Enhances the soil-suspension properties of detergents and prevents the redeposition of particulates onto substrates.
Thermal Stability: Maintains its chelating efficacy at elevated temperatures, making it ideal for boiler and industrial cleaning applications.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Chemical Formula: $C_6H_6NNa_3O_6$ (Anhydrous) / $C_6H_6NNa_3O_6 cdot H_2O$ (Monohydrate).
Molecular Weight: 257.08 g/mol (Anhydrous) / 275.10 g/mol (Monohydrate).
CAS Numbers: 5064-31-3 (Anhydrous); 18662-53-8 (Monohydrate).
Chelation Value: Typically ≥ 380 mg $CaCO_3/g$ (for the monohydrate powder), indicating high efficiency per unit mass.
pH Profile: A 1% aqueous solution typically results in a pH of 10.5 to 11.5, contributing to its performance in alkaline cleaning.
Purity Levels: Industrial grades are generally available at 92% minimum (powder) or 40% (liquid solution).
Heavy Metal Content: Produced with low levels of residual heavy metals (typically <10 ppm) to ensure process purity.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Detergents & Industrial Cleaning: Used in heavy-duty laundry detergents, automatic dishwashing liquids, and hard-surface cleaners to mitigate water hardness.
Water Treatment: Employed in boiler systems and cooling water circuits to prevent scale formation and remove existing mineral deposits.
Pulp and Paper: Acts as a stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide bleaching by sequestering transition metals (Mn, Fe, Cu) that would otherwise decompose the bleaching agent.
Textile Processing: Utilized in scouring and dyeing stages to remove metallic impurities from fibers, ensuring uniform dye uptake and preventing spotting.
Metal Finishing: Used in electroplating and metal cleaning baths to stabilize metal ions and ensure high-quality surface coatings.
Oil & Gas: Applied as a scale inhibitor in oilfield operations and as a component in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) formulations.