Aqueous Thickening Composition with Nonionic pH-Stable Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thickening agents for aqueous compositions face challenges with high viscosity, making them difficult to handle and process, and their viscosity control methods, such as dilution or use of plasticizers, lead to stability issues and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous composition comprising at least 40% water, a polyalkoxylated compound, and a non-ionic compound with a hydrophilic osidic group bound to a hydrophobic chain, which maintains viscosity stability across pH variations and reduces the need for dilution or plasticizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If thickening agents are used to increase viscosity of aqueous compositions, then the viscosity control is improved, but the handling and processing difficulty increases due to high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the thickening agent by specifying a particular polyurethane structure with controlled molecular weight (10,000-100,000 g/mol) and composition (containing polyether segments). These parameter changes enable the thickening agent to achieve effective viscosity control while maintaining lower viscosity for easier handling compared to conventional thickening agents.
2Ease of operation
If thickening agents are diluted with water or organic solvents to control viscosity, then the handling ease is improved, but the efficacy of viscosity control decreases and environmental problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thickening agent formulation that achieves optimal performance at lower concentrations (0.1-10% by weight) without requiring dilution with water or organic solvents. This concentrated formulation approach eliminates environmental concerns associated with solvent disposal while maintaining effective viscosity control, replacing the need for dilution strategies.
3Ease of operation
If plasticizer compounds are combined with thickening agents to control viscosity, then the handling ease is improved, but the stability against pH variations deteriorates due to ionic charges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the thickening agent by selecting a polyurethane structure with specific segments (polyether, polyester, or polycarbonate) that confer pH stability. The molecular weight and composition parameters are controlled to ensure the thickening agent maintains its thickening efficacy across a broad pH range (2-12) without requiring ionic plasticizers, thus eliminating pH sensitivity issues.
4Ease of operation
If plasticizer compounds are combined with thickening agents to control viscosity, then the viscosity handling is improved, but the thickening efficacy decreases due to relative decrease in thickening agent amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of the thickening agent in the aqueous composition (0.1-10% by weight) and adjusts the molecular weight parameter (10,000-100,000 g/mol) to achieve effective viscosity control at these concentrations. This eliminates the need to add plasticizer compounds that would otherwise dilute the thickening agent and reduce its efficacy.
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 provides stable viscosity control across pH ranges from 2 to 12, enhancing handling and reducing environmental impact while maintaining effective thickening properties.
Implementation Method 1
a non-ionic compound (b) comprising at least one hydrophilic osidic group bound to at least one straight or branched hydrophobic chain
Implementation Method 2
at least one polyalkoxylated compound (a) chosen among a polyurethane compound (a1), a polyurethane-polyurea compound (a2), a polyether compound (a3), a polyester compound (a4), a polyurea compound (a5)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to the field of aqueous thickening compositions, particularly for increasing the viscosity of an aqueous paint or varnish composition, a detergent composition or a cosmetic composition, in particular a cosmetic composition comprising ethoxylated surfactant compounds. The composition according to the invention comprises at least 40% by weight of water and combines a particular thickening compound and a nonionic compound comprising at least one hydrophilic saccharide group attached to at least one linear or branched hydrophobic chain.