Branched Sulfate and Ethoxy Sulfate Detergents for Lower-Load Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid detergent compositions face challenges in achieving efficient cleaning performance while minimizing surfactant usage to avoid substrate damage and formulation incompatibilities.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent composition comprising a mixture of branched alkyl sulfate and alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactants, with specific weight percentages and ethoxylation levels, demonstrating synergistic cleaning effects that allow for reduced total surfactant usage without compromising cleaning efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher levels of surfactant are used to improve cleaning efficiency, then cleaning performance is improved, but substrate damage and formulation incompatibilities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by using a specific mixture of branched alkyl sulfates (with controlled chain lengths and branching positions) combined with alkyl ethoxy sulfates. This parameter change in surfactant structure and composition enables effective cleaning at lower concentrations, resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and substrate damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite surfactant system combining two different surfactant types (branched alkyl sulfates and alkyl ethoxy sulfates) in specific ratios. This composite approach creates synergistic effects that enhance cleaning performance while reducing the total surfactant load, thereby preventing substrate damage and formulation incompatibilities.
2Productivity
If higher levels of surfactant are used to improve cleaning efficiency, then cleaning performance is improved, but formulation incompatibilities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of individual surfactant components within the mixture. By controlling the proportions of different branched alkyl sulfates and alkyl ethoxy sulfates, the formulation achieves stable compatibility while maintaining high cleaning efficiency, avoiding formulation incompatibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by having different surfactant components perform specialized functions within the mixture. The branched alkyl sulfates provide primary cleaning action while the alkyl ethoxy sulfates contribute to foam stability and compatibility, allowing the formulation to remain stable at effective concentrations.
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 synergistic combination of surfactants achieves improved stain removal performance, offering formulation flexibility, cost savings, and sustainability by reducing the overall surfactant content while maintaining or enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid detergent composition comprising a first surfactant consisting essentially of a mixture of surfactant isomers and a second surfactant comprising an alkyl ethoxy sulfate
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid detergent compositions can include a first surfactant which is a mixture of surfactant isomers of Formula 1 and surfactants of Formula 2:wherein from about 50% to about 100% by weight of the first surfactant are isomers having m+n=11; wherein between about 25% to about 50% of the mixture of surfactant isomers of Formula 1 have n=0; wherein from about 0.001% to about 25% by weight of the first surfactant are surfactants of Formula 2; and wherein X is a hydrophilic moiety; and a second surfactant including a C12-C15 alkyl ethoxy sulfate with an average degree of ethoxylation of about 1.5 to about 3.