Aqueous Acidic Hard-Surface Composition with Formic Acid for Shine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard surface cleaning compositions face challenges in achieving both good anti-bacterial performance and shine performance due to the negative effects of high citric acid and amine oxide surfactant levels on shine, and there is a need for an environmentally friendly alternative to quaternary ammonium compounds.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous acidic hard surface cleaning liquid composition comprising amine oxide surfactant, citric acid, and formic acid, with a pH range of 1.9 to 2.5, allowing for lower levels of citric acid and amine oxide while maintaining effective shine and anti-bacterial performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high levels of citric acid are used, then anti-bacterial performance is improved, but shine performance deteriorates and surfaces feel sticky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing formic acid as an additional acid component and optimizing the citric acid concentration to a specific range (0.1-1.0%) rather than using high levels. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by maintaining anti-bacterial efficacy through the combined acid system while preventing the sticky residue and shine degradation caused by excessive citric acid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite acid system combining citric acid and formic acid in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve effective anti-bacterial performance through the synergistic action of both acids while using lower overall acid concentrations, thereby preserving surface shine and avoiding the sticky feel associated with high citric acid alone.
2Productivity
If high levels of amine oxide surfactant are used, then cleaning performance is improved, but shine performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the amine oxide surfactant concentration to a specific range (0.01-1.0%) rather than using high levels. This parameter optimization maintains adequate cleaning performance while preventing the shine degradation that occurs with excessive surfactant concentrations, resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficacy and surface appearance.
3Reliability
If quaternary ammonium compounds are used, then anti-bacterial performance is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates quaternary ammonium compounds from the formulation entirely, replacing their anti-bacterial function with a combination of optimized citric acid and formic acid. This removal of the harmful substance resolves the contradiction by maintaining effective anti-bacterial performance through environmentally friendly acid-based mechanisms.
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 composition achieves good shine and anti-bacterial performance without using quaternary ammonium compounds, providing a more environmentally friendly solution.
Implementation Method 1
amphoteric surfactant or a mixture of anionic and nonionic surfactants... amine oxide surfactant
Implementation Method 2
citric acid, and formic acid wherein the composition has a pH in the range of from 1.9 to 2.5
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous acidic hard surface cleaning liquid composition containing amine oxide surfactant, citric acid and formic acid.