Aqueous Zwitterionic Hydrotrope Composition for Surfactant Wetting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nonionic surfactants in cleaning compositions face solubility issues in aqueous solutions with high electrolyte content, and conventional hydrotropes do not effectively enhance wetting ability.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous composition containing a specific hydrotrope with a C6-C22 alkyl group and a zwitterionic structure is used, enhancing the solubility and wetting ability of nonionic surfactants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional hydrotropes are used to improve solubility of nonionic surfactants, then solubility is enhanced, but wetting ability is not effectively improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolubility of nonionic surfactantVSAvoidwetting ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of conventional hydrotropes by introducing a zwitterionic group to the aromatic ring. This structural parameter change enables the molecule to simultaneously provide solubility enhancement (through its hydrotropic properties) and wetting ability (through its zwitterionic character), resolving the contradiction between improving solubility while maintaining wetting performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite molecular structure that combines the hydrophobic aromatic core (providing hydrotropic solubility enhancement) with a zwitterionic functional group (providing wetting ability). This molecular-level composite allows a single compound to fulfill both functions that were previously separated, eliminating the trade-off between solubility and wetting performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If nonionic surfactants are used as wetting agents in cleaning compositions, then wetting ability is provided, but solubility is insufficient in high electrolyte content solutions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewetting abilityVSAvoidsolubility in aqueous solution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by incorporating a zwitterionic hydrotrope with specific structural features (aromatic core with zwitterionic group). This parameter change allows the system to maintain wetting ability while achieving sufficient solubility in high electrolyte content cleaning compositions, directly resolving the solubility limitation of conventional nonionic surfactants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If alkali hydroxides and alkaline builders are added to cleaning compositions, then cleaning performance is improved, but solubility of nonionic surfactants decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidsolubility of nonionic surfactant

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The zwitterionic hydrotrope acts as an intermediary substance that bridges the incompatibility between alkaline cleaning agents and nonionic surfactants. Its unique zwitterionic structure allows it to function as a solubility enhancer in high-alkaline environments, enabling the coexistence of alkali hydroxides/builders (for cleaning performance) and nonionic surfactants (for wetting and cleaning action) in the same composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 demonstrates improved cleaning performance on hard surfaces by ensuring even spreading and solubility of nonionic surfactants, outperforming conventional formulations.

Implementation Method 1

The primary task of a hydrotrope is to enhance the solubility of the nonionic surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolubility enhancement: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

Nonionic surfactants are known to be wetting agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

The ability of an aqueous solution to spread evenly over a surface, i.e., a wetting ability, is desirable for many applications

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Data Source

PatentEP4640800A1Aqueous composition

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL BV

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AI summary

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An aqueous composition includes water, a surfactant; and a hydrotrope present in an amount of at least 0.5 weight percent actives based on a total weight of the composition. The hydrotrope has the structure: wherein R is a C6 - C22 alkyl group, each of R1 and R2 is independently a C1 - C4 alkyl group; n is a number of from about 8 to about 25. X- is a zwitterion having the structure: wherein each of R4 and R5 is independently H, CH3, or (CH2)2COOY, wherein Y is H, Na, or K; and wherein R6 is H, CH3, CH2COOY, CH2CH2COOY, or (CH2)2N(CH2COOY)CH2COOY.