Acrylic Polymer Blend Maintains Clarity and Viscosity at Low pH
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rheology modifiers, such as alkali-swellable emulsion polymers, lose clarity at acidic pH ranges in surfactant-containing formulations, and there is a need for a thickener that maintains viscosity and suspension properties while providing high clarity and aesthetics in acidic pH conditions, with concerns about the safety of traditional preservatives.
Innovation Solution
A blend of crosslinked and linear acrylic polymers, combined with anionic and amphoteric surfactants, and an acid-based preservative, which maintains rheological and clarity properties at low pH values, allowing for stable and clear surfactant compositions in personal care and industrial applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If alkali-swellable emulsion polymers are used as rheology modifiers, then viscosity and suspension properties are improved, but clarity is lost at acidic pH ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the polymer by introducing crosslinking functionality into the acrylic emulsion polymer. This structural modification enables the polymer to maintain its rheological properties while preserving clarity at acidic pH levels, resolving the contradiction between viscosity maintenance and clarity retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer system combining crosslinked acrylic emulsion polymer with specific surfactants and preservatives. This composite formulation maintains the beneficial properties of individual components while achieving both viscosity stability and clarity at acidic pH, overcoming the limitation of conventional single-component thickeners.
2Reliability
If traditional preservatives are used, then microbial protection is achieved, but safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional preservatives with acid-based preservatives that are safer for skin. The acid-based preservatives maintain effective microbial protection while eliminating the harmful effects associated with traditional preservative compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of low pH (which could cause irritation) into a benefit by using acid-based preservatives that provide microbial protection while being safer for skin. The acidic environment protects against microbes without requiring harsh traditional preservatives.
3Stability of the object's composition
If solid thickeners are used, then viscosity enhancement is achieved, but processing complexity increases due to dissolution requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses liquid form of the crosslinked acrylic emulsion polymer instead of solid thickeners. This allows the thickener to be directly incorporated into the liquid surfactant composition without requiring dissolution processes, heating, or special equipment, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining viscosity enhancement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The acrylic polymer blend ensures stable, clear, and high-clarity surfactant compositions at acidic pH values, maintaining viscosity and suspension properties without separation or creaming, even at elevated temperatures, while offering a safer preservative alternative.
Implementation Method 1
Rheology modifiers, also referred to as thickeners or viscosifiers, are ubiquitous in surfactant containing personal care cleansing formulations
Implementation Method 2
the ability to suspend and stabilize soluble and insoluble components within a surfactant based formulation
Implementation Method 3
with concerns about the safety of traditional preservatives
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are blends of acrylic polymers comprising at least one crosslinked acrylic copolymer and at least one linear acrylic copolymer. The acrylic polymer blends surprisingly provide desirable rheological, clarity, and aesthetic properties in aqueous surfactant containing compositions, particularly at low pH.