Amine-Neutralized Surfactants for Viscosity Control in Unit Dose Detergents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current alkylbenzene sulfonic acid surfactants, such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonate sodium salt, exhibit high viscosity and form gel blobs or undispersed flocs when used in liquid laundry detergent formulations with polyvinyl alcohol, leading to stability issues in unit dose products with high active concentrations and low water content.
Innovation Solution
Neutralizing alkylbenzene sulfonic acids with specific amine compounds, like 2-butoxy-1-aminoethane or 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-1-aminoethane, to create surfactants that reduce viscosity and mitigate floc formation when interacting with polyvinyl alcohol, allowing for higher water content in unit dose detergent formulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional surfactants like linear alkylbenzene sulfonate sodium salt are used in unit dose detergent formulations, then high active concentration can be achieved, but viscosity increases and gel blobs or undispersed flocs form when interacting with polyvinyl alcohol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the surfactant by neutralizing alkylbenzene sulfonic acid with specific amine compounds (formula II) instead of conventional bases like sodium hydroxide. This chemical parameter change fundamentally alters the surfactant's interaction with polyvinyl alcohol, reducing viscosity and preventing gel blob formation while maintaining high active concentration in unit dose formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system by combining alkylbenzene sulfonic acid with specific amine compounds having particular structural characteristics (R2, R3, and n values). This composite approach produces a surfactant with novel properties that simultaneously achieve high solubility, low viscosity, and compatibility with polyvinyl alcohol encasing material
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional surfactants are used in unit dose formulations with polyvinyl alcohol pouches, then detergent formulation can be created, but interaction with PVOH film results in gel blobs or undispersed flocs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameter of the surfactant counterion by using specific amine compounds with defined R2, R3, and n values. This parameter change alters the surfactant's molecular characteristics to reduce adverse interactions with polyvinyl alcohol, preventing gel blob formation and improving formulation stability while maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The specific amine compound acts as an intermediary between the alkylbenzene sulfonic acid and the polyvinyl alcohol system. By choosing amines with particular structural properties, the patent creates a mediating effect that prevents direct adverse interactions between the surfactant and PVOH encasing material, eliminating gel blob formation
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 amine-neutralized surfactants demonstrate lower viscosity and reduced floc formation compared to conventional surfactants, enabling more stable and efficient detergent formulations with improved compatibility in polyvinyl alcohol pouches.
Implementation Method 1
The acid group of HLASs is neutralized with various bases to obtain functioning surfactants... alkylbenzene sulfonic acids can be neutralized with certain amine compounds... to provide surfactants with favorable properties
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are amine-neutralized anionic surfactants and their use in detergent formulations. The amine-neutralized an ionic surfactants are of the formula I, as described herein.