Amphiphilic Alkoxylated Polyamines for Biodegradable Cold Water Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current detergents face challenges in achieving effective cold water cleaning performance for oily and fatty stains while being biodegradable, as existing amphiphilic alkoxylated polyamines are not biodegradable.
Innovation Solution
The development of novel alkoxylated polyalkylene imines and polyamines through a process involving reactions with alkylene oxides, lactones, hydroxy carboxylic acids, and ethylene oxide, resulting in compounds with improved biodegradability and amphiphilic properties for enhanced cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If amphiphilic alkoxylated polyamines are used to improve cold water cleaning performance for oily and fatty stains, then cleaning performance is improved, but biodegradability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polyamine structure by introducing biodegradable backbone structures (polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonates) and controlling the alkoxylation degree and type. This allows maintaining the amphiphilic properties needed for cleaning performance while ensuring the backbone can be biologically degraded, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficacy and biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite molecular structures combining biodegradable polymer backbones with amphiphilic alkoxy side chains. The backbone provides biodegradability while the side chains provide surfactant properties for stain removal. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of both cleaning performance and biodegradability
2Reliability
If existing amphiphilic alkoxylated polyamine structures are used to achieve oily/fatty soil removal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates due to non-biodegradability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by selecting biodegradable monomers for the backbone (lactones, amino acids, carbonic acid derivatives) and optimizing the alkoxylation parameters. This ensures the molecule maintains surfactant functionality for effective soil removal while the backbone structure becomes susceptible to biological degradation, thus improving environmental sustainability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful non-biodegradable nature of polyamines into a benefit by designing hydrolytically labile bonds in the backbone. The same chemical reactivity that could lead to instability is now harnessed to enable controlled biodegradation after use, transforming an environmental hazard into a sustainable solution
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 resulting compounds demonstrate comparable or improved cleaning performance for fat and oil removal and enhanced biodegradability, particularly in laundry and dish wash formulations, combining effective stain removal with environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a) reaction of i) at least one polyalkylene imine or at least one polyamine with ii) at least one first alkylene oxide (AO1)... to obtain a first intermediate (I1)
Implementation Method 2
b) reaction of the first intermediate (I1) with at least one lactone and/or at least one hydroxy carbon acid... to obtain a second intermediate (I2)
Implementation Method 3
c) reaction of the second intermediate (I2) with ethylene oxide... to obtain a third intermediate (I3)
Implementation Method 4
d) reaction of the third intermediate (I3) with at least one second alkylene oxide (AO2)... to obtain the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are novel alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines having amphiphilic properties. Additionally disclosed herein is a process for preparing such alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines as well as a method of using such compounds within, for example, cleaning compositions and/or in fabric and home care products. Further disclosed herein are those compositions or products as such.