Primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactants and their use, detergent compositions and liquid laundry products containing these nonionic surfactants

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a primary or secondary alcohol started nonionic surfactant having formula (I): JPEG2025511678000014.jpg20128 relates to primary or secondary alcohol started nonionic surfactants, wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of a linear primary alcohol moiety having a C16-18 alkyl chain or a secondary alcohol moiety having a C8-18 alkyl chain, R'' is a methyl or ethyl group, x is an integer selected from 2 to 4, y is an integer selected from 1 to 25, and z is an integer selected from 1 to 50. The primary or secondary alcohol started nonionic surfactants provide an outstanding combination of good detergency and improved viscosity control, as well as lower foaming properties in highly concentrated unit dose detergent formulations.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactants and their use, detergent compositions and liquid laundry products containing such nonionic surfactants. [Background technology]

[0002] As awareness of sustainable development increases, highly concentrated unit-dose detergent formulations are a clear market trend in both home care and industrial cleaning applications. In highly concentrated unit-dose detergent formulations, the total surfactant content can reach approximately 50% to 70% by weight or more, resulting in savings in packaging materials and reduced water usage in manufacturing and transportation. However, a high surfactant content can lead to increased viscosity in the formulation, making it difficult to handle and use, increasing the dissolution time in cold water, causing gel formation during dissolution, and consequently increasing energy consumption in cleaning.

[0003] Generally, highly concentrated detergent formulations mainly contain anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, some organic solvents, and other components. Despite the good cleaning power of anionic surfactants in washing, common anionic surfactants such as AES (alcohol ether sulfate, especially sodium laureth sulfate) and LAS (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate) often form gels at high concentrations (30-70% by weight). Therefore, organic solvents are added to the formulation to reduce viscosity and maintain its handling properties. However, organic solvents do not provide the same cleaning power as surfactants. On the contrary, organic solvents increase the cost of the formulation and are likely to cause odor problems. Linear primary alcohol ethoxylates (e.g., L-PAE-9) are the most common nonionic surfactants and actually provide good cleaning performance among commercially available nonionic surfactants, but their aqueous solutions at high concentrations of 30-60% by weight are also gels. As a result, L-PAE-9 increases viscosity even in highly concentrated or unit-dose detergent formulations. Branched alcohol-derived alkoxylated nonionic surfactants such as ECOSURF® EH-9 and LUTENSOL® XL-80 are fluid in water at high concentrations (e.g., 40-60% by weight). Although branched alcohol-derived alkoxylated nonionic surfactants have been widely used as viscosity modifiers in highly concentrated or unit-dose detergent formulations, their cleaning power is weaker compared to L-PAE-9.

[0004] Therefore, there remains an urgent need for cleaning customers for nonionic surfactants that can provide a remarkable combination of good cleaning power and strong viscosity adjustment in highly concentrated unit-dose detergent formulations. In addition, good viscosity reduction is an interesting and welcome property if it can help the formulater reduce the amount of solvent. Furthermore, low-foaming formulations are often preferred in industrial and facility (I&I) cleaning, and this is also necessary in home care cleaning, as high foaming can prolong rinsing time and increase water consumption. Biodegradability is also a required property for cleaning customers in the surfactant selection criteria. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0005] After continuous research, the inventors have, remarkably, developed primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactants, as well as detergent compositions and liquid laundry products containing these nonionic surfactants. These exhibit good cleaning power, improved viscosity control in highly concentrated unit-dose detergent formulations (i.e., better fluidity and no gel formation during dissolution in water), and lower foaming properties (i.e., rapid foam collapse).

[0006] In a first aspect of this disclosure, the disclosure relates to a primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactant having formula (I),

[0007] [ka] The present invention provides a primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactant in which R' is selected from the group consisting of a linear primary alcohol moiety having a C16-18 alkyl chain or a secondary alcohol moiety having a C8-18 alkyl chain, R'' is a methyl group or an ethyl group, x is an integer selected from 2 to 4, y is an integer selected from 1 to 25, and z is an integer selected from 1 to 50.

[0008] In a second aspect of this disclosure, the disclosure provides the use of primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactants in detergent compositions.

[0009] In a third aspect of this disclosure, the disclosure relates to a detergent composition, (a) at least one anionic surfactant, (b) comprising a primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactant, The present invention provides a detergent composition in which component (a) and component (b) are present in an amount of at least 50% by weight based on the total weight of the detergent composition.

[0010] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a liquid laundry product comprising a detergent composition.

[0011] In the present disclosure, primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactants, and detergent compositions and liquid laundry products containing such surfactants may exhibit improved detergency, good viscosity adjustment, and lower foaming characteristics in high-concentration unit-dose detergent formulations. Further, they also exhibit better fluidity and do not form gels when dissolved in water.

[0012] It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and do not limit the claimed invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] Comparison of Ross-Miles foam heights of Examples IE-1 to IE-4 and Comparative Examples CE-A and CE-B in the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Comparison of detergency (soil removal) in high-concentration liquid laundry detergent formulations of Examples IE-1 to IE-4 and Comparative Examples CE-B, CE-C, and CE-D in the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Comparison of detergency (soil removal) in unit-dose laundry detergent formulations (a / b = 60 / 40 weight ratio) of Examples IE-1 to IE-4 and Comparative Examples CE-B, CE-D, CE-E, and CE-F in the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Comparison of viscosities in unit-dose laundry detergent formulations (a / b = 60 / 40 weight ratio) of Examples IE-1 to IE-4 and Comparative Examples CE-A, CE-B, CE-C, and CE-F in the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Comparison of viscosities in unit-dose laundry detergent formulations (a / b = 70 / 30 weight ratio) of Examples IE-1 to IE-4 and Comparative Examples CE-A, CE-B, CE-C, and CE-F in the present disclosure.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Where disclosed herein, “and / or” means “and, or alternatively” or “in addition, or alternatively.” All scopes include the endpoint unless otherwise indicated.

[0015] In this disclosure, primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactants have formula (I),

[0016] [ka] In the formula, R' is selected from the group consisting of a linear primary alcohol moiety having a C16-18 alkyl chain or a secondary alcohol moiety having a C8-18 alkyl chain, R'' is a methyl group or an ethyl group, x is an integer selected from 2 to 4, y is an integer selected from 1 to 25, and z is an integer selected from 1 to 50.

[0017] In this specification, the term "C16-18 alkyl chain" refers to an alkyl chain having 16 to 18 carbon atoms, and the term "C8-18 alkyl chain" refers to an alkyl chain having 8 to 18 carbon atoms. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the linear C16-18 alkyl chain can be selected from n-hexadecyl, n-heptadecyl, n-octadecyl, or a mixture thereof.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the secondary alcohols are 2-octanol, 3-octanol, 4-octanol, 2-nonanol, 3-nonanol, 4-nonanol, 5-nonanol, 2-decanol, 3-decanol, 4-decanol, 5-decanol, 2-undecanol, 3-undecanol, 4-undecanol, 5-undecanol, 6-undecanol, 2-dodecanol, 3-dodecanol, 4-dodecanol, 5-dodecanol, 6-dodecanol, 2-tridecanol, 3-tridecanol, 4-tridecanol, 5-tridecanol, 6-tridecanol, 7-tridecanol, 2-tetradecanol, 3-tetradecanol, 4-tetradecanol, 5-tetradecanol, 6-tetradecanol, 7-tetradecanol, and 2-pentadecanol. This includes, but is not limited to, 3-pentadecanol, 4-pentadecanol, 5-pentadecanol, 6-pentadecanol, 7-pentadecanol, 8-pentadecanol, 2-hexadecanol, 3-hexadecanol, 4-hexadecanol, 5-hexadecanol, 6-hexadecanol, 7-hexadecanol, 8-hexadecanol, 2-heptadecanol, 3-heptadecanol, 4-heptadecanol, 5-heptadecanol, 6-heptadecanol, 7-heptadecanol, 8-heptadecanol, 2-octadecanol, 3-octadecanol, 4-octadecanol, 5-octadecanol, 6-octadecanol, 7-octadecanol, 8-octadecanol, 9-octadecanol, or any combination thereof.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the secondary alcohol includes 2-dodecanol, 3-dodecanol, 4-dodecanol, 5-dodecanol, 6-dodecanol, 2-tridecanol, 3-tridecanol, 4-tridecanol, 5-tridecanol, 6-tridecanol, 7-tridecanol, 2-tetradecanol, 3-tetradecanol, 4-tetradecanol, 5-tetradecanol, 6-tetradecanol, 7-tetradecanol, or any combination thereof.

[0020] In embodiments of the present disclosure, x is an integer selected from 2, 3, and 4. In embodiments of the present disclosure, y is an integer selected from 1 to 25, 1 to 20, 1 to 16, 1 to 12, 1 to 9, 1 to 4, 4 to 25, 4 to 20, 4 to 16, 4 to 12, 4 to 9, 9 to 25, 9 to 20, 9 to 16, 9 to 12, 12 to 25, 12 to 20, 12 to 16, 16 to 25, 16 to 20, and 20 to 25. In embodiments of the present disclosure, z is an integer selected from 1 to 50, 1 to 40, 1 to 30, 1 to 20, 1 to 10, 1 to 5, 5 to 50, 5 to 40, 5 to 30, 5 to 20, 5 to 10, 10 to 50, 10 to 40, 10 to 30, 10 to 20, 20 to 50, 20 to 40, 20 to 30, 30 to 50, 30 to 40, and 40 to 50.

[0021] In alternative embodiments of this disclosure, the sum of x and z is 3-54, 3-50, 3-40, 3-30, 3-20, 3-10, 3-5, 5-54, 5-50, 5-40, 5-30, 5-20, 5-10, 10-54, 10-50, 10-40, 10-30, 10-25, 10-20, 10-15, 15-54. It is an integer selected from 15-50, 15-40, 15-30, 15-25, 15-20, 20-54, 20-50, 20-40, 20-30, 20-25, 25-54, 25-50, 25-40, 25-30, 30-54, 30-50, 30-40, 40-54, 40-50, and 50-54.

[0022] In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the number of y is less than the sum of x and z. Alternatively, y may be equal to the sum of x and z, or y may be greater than the sum of x and z. In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, y is 8, 12, 16, or 20 or greater. In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the sum of x and z is greater than 20, 24, 28, or 32.

[0023] In this disclosure, triblock nonionic surfactants derived from linear C16-18 primary alcohols or C8-18 secondary alcohols can increase the total surfactant concentration in detergent formulations to levels far higher than in the prior art, and can also increase the concentration of anionic surfactants in detergent compositions to levels far higher than in the prior art. In this regard, the inventors can apply primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactants to detergent compositions containing anionic surfactants to increase the total surfactant concentration and decrease the solvent content. In this disclosure, detergent compositions are characterized by reduced solvent content, increased surfactant content, low viscosity, faster dissolution, good cleaning power, improved viscosity control in highly concentrated unit-dose detergent formulations (i.e., better fluidity and no gel formation), and lower foaming properties (i.e., rapid foam collapse), or a combination of two or more of these.

[0024] In this disclosure, a detergent composition may comprise (a) at least one anionic surfactant, and (b) at least one primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactant. In this disclosure, a detergent composition may further comprise (c) at least one organic solvent.

[0025] In embodiments of the present invention, the anionic surfactant used as component (a) is not particularly limited, but includes alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, fatty acid salts, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, fatty acid soaps, and α-olefin sulfonates. The anionic surfactant is preferably selected from alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkane sulfonates, fatty acid salts, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, and any combination thereof. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the anionic surfactant substantially does not contain any intermediate polarity spacers inserted between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of the anionic surfactant. In the present disclosure, the intermediate polarity spacers generally include propylene oxide (PO) chains, butylene oxide (BO) chains, or any combination of ethylene oxide (EO), PO, and BO in block or random order.

[0026] With regard to optional organic solvents, they may be used alone in the detergent composition or in combination with other organic solvents in the detergent composition. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the organic solvent may be at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, glycols, and glycol ethers (e.g., ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, etc.).

[0027] In embodiments of the present disclosure, component (a) and component (b) are present in amounts of at least 50% by weight, at least 60% by weight, at least 70% by weight, or at least 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent composition.

[0028] In embodiments of the present disclosure, component (a) is in an amount of at least 50% by weight, at least 60% by weight, at least 70% by weight, or at least 80% by weight of the sum of components (a) and (b).

[0029] In embodiments of this disclosure, the detergent composition comprises component (c) in less than 20% by weight, less than 15% by weight, less than 10% by weight, less than 5% by weight, or less than 1% by weight.

[0030] This disclosure allows for the provision of liquid laundry products by diluting a detergent composition with water. In this disclosure, the detergent composition may contain some water, and the amount of water can be adjusted according to the actual cleaning needs. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the amount of water is generally low in highly concentrated detergent formulations. On the other hand, since the packaging material of a unit-dose detergent formulation is water-soluble, a unit-dose detergent formulation generally cannot contain too much water. For example, a unit-dose detergent formulation may contain 5-10% by weight of water.

[0031] This disclosure provides a nonionic surfactant that may provide the following properties: -Good cleaning power, - Good viscosity control in highly concentrated unit-dose formulations, - Low foaming or rapid foam collapse, and - Good product safety profile.

[0032] In addition to the remarkable combination of cleaning power and viscosity adjustment in highly concentrated unit-dose detergent formulations, the solvent usage in the formulation can be effectively reduced, which meets the trend toward sustainable development and helps the formulater reduce formulation costs. [Examples]

[0033] Some embodiments of the present invention are described herein in the following examples, and all parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.

[0034] The raw materials used in the examples are listed in Table 1 below.

[0035] [Table 1]

[0036] Synthesis Examples The nonionic surfactants in this disclosure can be obtained by conventional methods by reacting an alcohol with an alkylene oxide such as ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) in the presence of a catalyst. Polymerization can be bulk polymerization or solution polymerization. Suitable catalysts for the polymerization of alkylene oxides can be found in the literature, e.g., FEBailey, Jr., Joseph V. Koleske, "Alkylene Oxides and Their Polymers," Marcel Dekker, New York, 1991, p. 35, and include anionic or basic catalysts, acidic or cationic catalysts, and coordination catalysts, such as complex metal cyanide complex (DMC) catalysts such as potassium hydroxide (postassium hydroxide) (KOH), boron trifluoride, or zinc hexacyanocobaltate. The alkylene oxide is typically supplied to a reactor containing a drying initiator and a catalyst at various temperatures between 50 and 160°C. Polymerization is usually considered complete when the pressure in the reactor returns to approximately the same pressure as before the alkylene oxide was supplied. Depending on the product and application, the catalyst can be neutralized, removed by known means such as filtration, adsorption, and ion exchange, or left in the product.

[0037] Synthesis example 1: Formula: LC 16~18 -(EO)4-(PO) 14 Synthesis of a nonionic surfactant represented by -(EO)5 (wherein LC 16~18 is a straight chain C 16~18 (Refers to a part) 1.1 moles of LC 16~18 Alcohol and potassium hydroxide (45-50% by weight) aqueous solution were placed in the reactor. KOH content was added at approximately 0.17% by weight based on the weight of the final product. 2. The mixture was heated at approximately 50-60°C for 30 minutes. 3. After vacuum stripping at approximately 80°C, the moisture content was adjusted to less than 1000 ppm, and the mixture was then maintained at approximately 110-140°C. 4. Next, the first part of 4 moles of EO (4 mole equivalents of LC) 16~18 A substance equivalent to alcohol was slowly supplied to the reactor. 5. When the pressure in the reactor returned to approximately the same as the pressure before EO supply, 14 moles of PO (equivalent to 14 molar equivalents of L-C 16~18 corresponding to alcohol) was slowly supplied to the reactor, and the reactor temperature was maintained at 110 - 140 °C. 6. When the pressure in the reactor returned to approximately the same as the pressure before PO supply, the last portion of 5 moles of EO (equivalent to 5 molar equivalents of L-C 16~18 corresponding to alcohol) was slowly supplied to the reactor at 110 - 140 °C. 7. When the pressure in the reactor returned to approximately the same as the pressure before EO supply, the reaction was maintained at 110 - 140 °C for an additional 2 hours to ensure complete consumption of EO. 8. After purging with N2 to remove residual oxides, the reactor was cooled to about 60 °C at ambient pressure. Then, acetic acid was added to the reactor to neutralize the KOH catalyst. 9. After cooling to about 40 °C, the desired product was obtained.

[0038] Synthesis Example 2: Synthesis of a nonionic surfactant represented by the formula: L-C 16~18 -(EO)4-(PO) 14 -(EO) 15 wherein L-C 16~18 - represents a linear C 16~18 - moiety) Synthesis Example 2 was carried out in the same manner as Synthesis Example 1, except that in step 6, the last portion of 15 moles of EO (equivalent to 15 molar equivalents of L-C 16~18 corresponding to alcohol) was slowly supplied to the reactor.

[0039] Synthesis Example 3: Synthesis of a nonionic surfactant represented by the formula: L-C 16~18 -(EO)4-(PO) 14 -(EO) 25 wherein L-C 16~18 - represents a linear C 16~18 - moiety) Synthesis Example 3 was carried out in the same manner as Synthesis Example 1, except that in step 6, the last portion of 25 moles of EO (equivalent to 25 molar equivalents of L-C 16~18 corresponding to alcohol) was slowly supplied to the reactor.

[0040] Synthesis example 4: Formula: Sec-C 12~14 -(EO)3-(PO) 10 -(EO) 10 Synthesis of nonionic surfactants represented by (wherein Sec-C) 12~14 - is Grade 2 C 12~14 (referring to a part) Synthesis Example 4 is LC 16~18 The procedure was the same as in Synthesis Example 1, except that TERGITOL® 15-S-3 was used instead of alcohol. Since TERGITOL® 15-S-3 already contains 3 moles of EO in each molecule, step 4 was omitted. In step 5, 10 moles of PO (equivalent to 10 mole equivalents of TERGITOL® 15-S-3) were slowly supplied to the reactor, and in step 6, the last portion of 10 moles of EO (equivalent to 10 mole equivalents of TERGITOL® 15-S-3) was slowly supplied to the reactor.

[0041] Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples A-F of the present invention As shown in Table 2, the surfactants in Examples (IE) 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples (CE) A to F of the present invention were tested or evaluated according to the measurements described below.

[0042] [Table 2]

[0043] [Table 3] a Cloud point data was measured using a 10 wt% aqueous solution. b :Foam height at 0 and 5 minutes.

[0044] As shown in Table 3, all four examples of the present invention, IE-1, IE-2, IE-3, and IE-4, had low CMC values, which resulted in good surfactant efficiency. The Ross-Miles foam heights in Table 3 and Figure 1 show that all four examples of the present invention, IE-1, IE-2, IE-3, and IE-4, resulted in moderate initial foam height and very rapid foam collapse, which are linear C 12~14 This was much faster than CE-A and CE-B, which were based on alcohol ethoxylates. Low foaming and rapid foam collapse are desirable for most industrial applications. In Figure 1, the left vertical bar in each of the Examples IE-1, IE-2, IE-3, and IE-4 of the present invention and comparative examples CE-A and CE-B represents the initial foam height, and the right vertical bar in each of the Examples IE-1, IE-2, IE-3, and IE-4 of the present invention and comparative examples CE-A and CE-B represents the foam height after 5 minutes.

[0045] Preparation of detergent composition A highly concentrated liquid laundry detergent formulation was prepared according to the following steps. 1. Water and propylene glycol were mixed in a beaker while mechanically stirring. 2. Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA), sodium laureth-2 sulfate (AES), oleic acid, and KOH were added to the beaker. 3. Add one of the nonionic surfactants IE-1, IE-2, IE-3, and IE-4, as well as CE-B to CE-D, to a beaker and blend the mixture uniformly. 4. The pH of the mixture was adjusted to 8.0-8.5 with KOH to form a highly concentrated liquid laundry detergent composition.

[0046] [Table 4]

[0047] Examples (IE) 1-4 and Comparative Examples (CE) B-D of the present invention, each representing a different "nonionic surfactant," were evaluated in a highly concentrated liquid laundry detergent formulation.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, the cleaning power results indicated that the triblock surfactants IE-1 and IE-4 of the present invention had similar cleaning power to CE-B and CE-C. Furthermore, IE-2 and IE-3 showed slightly better cleaning power than CE-B and CE-C, which are based on linear C12-14 alcohol-derived ethoxylates or alkoxylates, and showed significantly improved cleaning power compared to CE-D, which is based on branched fatty alcohol-derived alkoxylates.

[0049] Unit dose liquid laundry detergent formulation A unit-dose liquid laundry detergent formulation was prepared according to the following steps. 1. Water and propylene glycol were mixed in a beaker while mechanically stirring. 2. Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA), sodium laureth-2 sulfate (AES), oleic acid, and monoethanolamine (MEA) were added to the beaker. 3. Add one of the nonionic surfactants IE-1, IE-2, IE-3, and IE-4, as well as CE-B to CE-E, to a beaker and blend the mixture uniformly. 4. The pH was adjusted to 7.5 with MEA to form a unit-dose liquid laundry detergent composition.

[0050] [Table 5] * a / b = Total weight of anionic surfactants / Total weight of nonionic surfactants

[0051] The formulations in Table 5 contained a very high total surfactant content of approximately 80% by weight per unit dose of laundry formulation. The solvent content (propylene glycol) was 10% by weight, and the water content was 10% by weight (because AES (70%) also contains water). In addition, the formulations contained a very high content of anionic surfactant, at 60% or 70% based on the total weight of surfactants. In formulations containing anionic / nonionic surfactants in a 60 / 40 ratio by weight, IE-2 / IE-3 showed higher cleaning power compared to CE, as shown in Figure 3.

[0052] Viscosity comparison of highly concentrated formulations Original formulation in viscosity adjustment research

[0053] [Table 6]

[0054] [Table 7] #: Nonionic surfactant used in the formulations listed in Table 6. * "Unstable": After being stored overnight at room temperature, a cloudy phase separation was observed.

[0055] [Table 8]

[0056] Compared to the formulations in Table 6, the formulations in Table 8 did not contain any solvents (propylene glycol) that may make it more difficult to maintain the formulation with good fluidity. Furthermore, L-PAE-9 was also substituted and included in the "nonionic surfactant" category. When evaluating different IEs and CEs as "nonionic surfactants," the inventors measured the viscosity of the formulations at two different temperatures (5°C and 20°C). The results are listed in Table 9.

[0057] [Table 9] #: Nonionic surfactant used in the formulations listed in Table 8. * "Unstable": Phase separation with a cloudy appearance was observed.

[0058] Based on the data in Tables 7 and 9, the four surfactants of the present invention consistently provide formulations with lower viscosity than the comparative surfactants in highly concentrated liquid laundry detergent formulations. Furthermore, formulation stability by IE was more stable. Moreover, these performance advantages may be more interesting at low temperatures and may be beneficial in low-temperature storage.

[0059] Viscosity measurement in the dissolution of unit-dose laundry detergent formulations Formulations containing CE and IE were prepared according to Table 5. Next, the viscosity of the formulations was measured before and after dilution with different amounts of water. For unit-dose laundry formulations, if the unit-dose laundry formulation forms a gel during dissolution, the dissolution of the formulation is slowed, which consequently affects the cleaning power.

[0060] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the embodiments of the present invention in unit-dose detergent formulations yielded low viscosity both before and after dilution with water. Conversely, the comparative formulations exhibited much higher viscosity. Therefore, the good viscosity-adjusting properties of IE are demonstrated in unit-dose detergent formulations having low water content and low solvent content. In Figures 4 and 5, the first to fourth vertical bars from the left for each of the embodiments of the present invention IE-1, IE-2, IE-3, and IE-4, and comparative examples CE-A, CE-B, CE-C, and CE-F, respectively, represent the viscosity before dilution, viscosity after dilution with 1 mL of deionized water, viscosity after dilution with 2 mL of deionized water, and viscosity after dilution with 3 mL of deionized water.

[0061] Testing and evaluation Ross-Miles foam height test using GB / T 7462-94 foaming test. - A 0.1% by weight active aqueous solution of the surfactant was prepared with DI water. -The Ross-Miles test tubes were rinsed with DI water and the sample solution. -50 mL of the sample solution was poured into a test tube. - Once no more foaming was observed in the initial 50 mL of sample solution, 200 mL of sample solution was added using a dropping pipette. - The stopper of the dropping pipette was opened and the solution was allowed to flow down. -After the solution flow was complete, the initial bubble height was recorded as the initial bubble height. - After 5 minutes, the foam height was recorded as the final foam height.

[0062] Measurement of surface tension and CMC Surface tension was measured using a KRUSS Force Tensiometer K100C. All tests were conducted at room temperature. - An aqueous solution of a surfactant with an active content of 1% by weight was prepared as the mother liquor, and water was prepared as the blank solution. -The surfactant mother liquor was gradually added to water in a known amount. -Surface tension was recorded at different surfactant concentrations. -Surface tension values ​​were plotted against concentration, and the CMC was determined from the breakpoints of the plot.

[0063] Cloud point measurement An aqueous solution of triblock nonionic surfactant (1% by weight) was prepared by weighing 1.05 g of the sample into 49.5 mL of distilled water. 2. The mixture was stirred until the surfactant was completely dissolved in water. Then, 10 mL of the prepared solution was poured into a test tube, and a thermometer was placed inside the test tube. 3. The test tube was heated in a water bath set to a predetermined temperature. 4. If the test solution became cloudy, the temperature was recorded. 5. Steps 3-4 were repeated three times, and the average value was considered the cloud point.

[0064] Pour point measurement The test procedure followed ASTM D97-12 using the YuTong (YT-510E-3) apparatus. The test procedure included the steps described below. 1. Pour the sample (approximately 45 mL) into the test jar up to the level mark. 2. The sample was placed in an apparatus equipped with a kerosene thermometer for temperature measurement. 3. The device was turned on and the predetermined temperature value was set. 4. Once the set temperature was reached and stabilized, the fluidity of the sample was visually inspected. The observation period did not exceed 5 seconds. 5. The set temperature was lowered in 3°C increments. As the temperature approached the estimated pour point, the temperature adjustment was reduced by 1°C increments. 6. The lowest temperature at which the sample remained fluid was recorded as its pour point. 7. The measurement was repeated three times, and the average value was recorded as the final flow point.

[0065] Stain removal test of concentrated liquid laundry detergent formulations Cleaning process: -Equipment:Terg-o-tometer JB003-Sebum cloth -Amount applied: 0.8g / L -Water hardness: 250 ppm calculated using CaCO3 (weight ratio - MgCl26H2O:CaCl2 = 20.37:16.7) -Temperature: 30℃ - Rotation speed: 120 rpm

[0066] GB Sebum contains synthetic sebum, gum dye / cotton, supplied by the China Research Institute of Daily Chemical Industry. 1. Dirt removal measurement: Equipment: Konica Minolta spectrophotometer CM-3600A. 2. Procedure: The color of the dried swatches was measured using a spectrophotometer before and after washing. Both sides of each swatch were measured, and the readings were averaged. The output of the color measurement was L. * a * , and b * It contained [the following]. The cleaning power was calculated based on the following formula: Stain removal rate (%) = (L * Rear-L * Previous) / (96-L * Previous)×100%

[0067] Viscosity adjustment measurement: Formulation viscosity was measured using a Brookfield LVDV-II. Samples with a viscosity of less than 1000 were processed at 30 rpm using a #62 spindle, and samples with a viscosity of more than 1000 were measured at 10 rpm using a #62 spindle.

[0068] Viscosity measurement during dissolution Two mL of the unit dose formulation was added to an eight mL glass tube. The initial viscosity was measured using the high-throughput TADM method, a pressure-based parallel viscometer developed by Dow. This method estimates the viscosity of the sample by monitoring the pressure change in the pipette. After viscosity measurement, one mL of deionized water was added to the tube, and the mixture was mixed until homogeneous. The viscosity was then measured again using the TADM method. The process of adding water and measuring viscosity was repeated twice until three mL of deionized water was mixed into the unit dose formulation.

[0069] Based on all of the above performance comparisons, the Triblock nonionic surfactants of the present invention exhibited unique and interesting surfactant properties: low CMC and moderate foaming with rapid foam collapse. Evaluation in different types of detergent formulations showed that these Triblock nonionic surfactants resulted in an exceptional combination of cleaning power and viscosity adjustment, none of the comparative benchmarks were able to provide such a well-balanced performance. More specifically and interestingly, the Triblock nonionic surfactants of the present invention, in unit-dose detergent formulations exhibiting low solvent and water content, were able to maintain better fluidity and improved cleaning power during the dissolution stage.

Claims

1. A detergent composition, (a) at least one anionic surfactant, (b) A nonionic surfactant derived from a primary or secondary alcohol of formula (I), 【Chemistry 1】 In the formula, R' is selected from the group consisting of a linear primary alcohol moiety having a C16-18 alkyl chain or a secondary alcohol moiety having a C8-18 alkyl chain, R'' is a methyl group or an ethyl group, x is an integer from 2 to 4, y is an integer from 12 to 25, and z is an integer from 1 to 50, comprising a primary or secondary alcohol-derived nonionic surfactant, A detergent composition in which the total amount of component (a) and component (b) is at least 50% by weight based on the total weight of the detergent composition.

2. The detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the total amount of component (a) and component (b) is at least 70% by weight based on the total weight of the detergent composition.

3. The detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein component (a) is in an amount of at least 50% by weight of the sum of components (a) and (b).

4. The detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the detergent composition further comprises (C) an organic solvent.

5. The detergent composition according to claim 4, wherein the detergent composition contains less than 20% by weight of component (c).

6. The detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkane sulfonates, fatty acid salts, alkylbenzene sulfonates, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, and any combination thereof.

7. A liquid laundry product comprising the detergent composition described in claim 1.

8. A single-use laundry product comprising the detergent composition described in claim 1.

9. The detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein component (a) is in an amount of at least 70% by weight of the sum of components (a) and (b).

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