Defoamer Compositions with Aryl-Modified Siloxanes for Detergent Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing defoamer compositions based on polydimethylsiloxanes have poor compatibility with surfactant systems, leading to separation issues and unsatisfactory balance between costs, compatibility, efficacy, and long-term stability.

Innovation Solution

Formulating defoamer compositions with liquid polyorganosiloxanes having directly silicon-bonded aromatic radicals, silicone resins, fillers, and defined polyethers, which enhance compatibility and efficacy while maintaining cost-effectiveness and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polydimethylsiloxanes are used as defoamers, then defoaming efficacy is achieved, but compatibility with surfactant systems deteriorates leading to separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefoaming efficacyVSAvoidcompatibility with surfactant systems
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite defoamer compositions combining polydimethylsiloxane with specific additives including polyether-modified siloxanes, silicone resins, and fillers. This composite approach maintains the defoaming efficacy of polydimethylsiloxane while improving compatibility with surfactant systems through the complementary properties of the other components, preventing phase separation and enhancing long-term stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces polyether-modified siloxanes and silicone resins as intermediary substances that act as bridges between polydimethylsiloxane and surfactant systems. These intermediaries improve interfacial compatibility and prevent direct incompatibility interactions, allowing the defoamer to function effectively without causing phase separation in the surfactant formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If self-emulsifying defoamers are used, then compatibility with surfactant systems is improved, but defoaming efficacy is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with surfactant systemsVSAvoiddefoaming efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of self-emulsifying defoamers with traditional polydimethylsiloxane defoamers by creating a composite system that incorporates both approaches. The formulation combines compatibilizing agents that enable self-emulsification with active defoaming components, achieving both good compatibility with surfactant systems and strong defoaming efficacy simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If branched high-viscosity siloxanes are used to counteract loss of action during storage, then long-term stability is improved, but compatibility and ease of manufacture deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-term stability during storageVSAvoidcompatibility and processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the viscosity and molecular structure parameters of the siloxane components by using polyether-modified siloxanes and specific silicone resins with controlled molecular weights and architectures. These parameter changes enable the defoamer to maintain stability during storage while remaining compatible with surfactant systems and easy to manufacture, avoiding the drawbacks of simply using branched high-viscosity siloxanes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10870732B2Defoamer compositions for detergents
Publication Date: 2020.12.22 WACKER CHEMIE AG

AI summary

Defoamer preparations contain a polyorganosiloxane having aryl groups bonded to silicon at a ring carbon, filler particles and/or silicone resin particles, and a polyoxyalkylene polyether containing oxypropylene moieties. In addition to being efficient and compatible, the defoamer compositions retain their efficiency, especially in liquid detergents, after storage.