Branched Alkyl Ethoxy Sulfate Suds Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand dishwashing compositions fail to maintain a good sudsing profile, particularly in the presence of greasy soils, leading to inadequate suds volume and stabilization, which affects cleaning efficacy and user satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A liquid hand dishwashing composition featuring a surfactant system comprising a mixture of linear and branched anionic surfactants, specifically branched alkyl sulfate and alkyl ethoxy sulfate, with a defined degree of branching, combined with an amine oxide co-surfactant, to enhance suds generation and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hand dishwashing compositions are used, then the composition can perform basic cleaning, but the sudsing profile deteriorates in the presence of greasy soils leading to inadequate suds volume and stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite surfactant system combining multiple surfactant types (anionic, amphoteric, and nonionic surfactants) in specific ratios. This composite approach creates synergistic effects that maintain suds stability in the presence of greasy soils, which single surfactant systems cannot achieve alone. The combination of different surfactant chemistries provides both initial suds generation and sustained stabilization against grease interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters including the degree of ethoxylation (0.5-0.9 moles EO per mole alcohol), alkyl chain length (C12-C14), and branching content (10-30%) of the anionic surfactant. These parameter adjustments fine-tune the surfactant's hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and micellar properties, enabling sustained suds performance despite the presence of greasy soils that would otherwise destabilize foam.
2Quantity of substance
If the surfactant concentration is increased to improve suds volume, then suds generation improves, but the product becomes less economical and may cause skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters of the surfactants used, specifically employing ethoxylated alcohols with controlled ethoxylation degrees (0.5-0.9) and specific chain lengths. These structural changes enhance the surfactant's efficiency, allowing effective suds generation at lower concentrations that are less irritating to skin while maintaining cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-component surfactant system distributes the cleaning and sudsing functions across different surfactant types, reducing the burden on any single component. This allows the formulation to achieve adequate suds volume at moderate total surfactant levels, minimizing skin exposure to high concentrations of potentially irritating substances while still meeting performance requirements.
3Reliability
If a linear anionic surfactant system is used, then the cleaning ability is good, but the suds stabilization in the presence of greasy soils is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a simple linear anionic surfactant system to a composite system that includes branched anionic surfactants (10-30% branching), amphoteric surfactants, and nonionic surfactants. This composite structure provides complementary mechanisms for suds stabilization, where the branched components offer steric stabilization and the amphoteric/nonionic components provide electrostatic and steric barriers against grease-induced coalescence, ensuring consistent suds profile throughout the washing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces localized structural variations through controlled branching (10-30% of the anionic surfactant molecules have branched alkyl chains) and specific ethoxylation degrees. These local structural modifications create surfactant molecules with optimized micellar properties that specifically target suds stabilization at the oil-water interface, enhancing stability without compromising the overall cleaning mechanism.
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 sustained suds volume and stability throughout the dishwashing process, ensuring effective cleaning of greasy soils and reducing the need for frequent re-dosing, thereby improving user experience and cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant system comprising an anionic surfactant and a co-surfactant
Implementation Method 2
The anionic surfactant is selected from a mixture of a linear anionic surfactant and a branched anionic surfactant
Implementation Method 3
the generated suds must produce high suds volume and/or longevity (i.e., mileage) of the suds (i.e., stable suds)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a liquid hand dishwashing cleaning composition including a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant system includes an anionic surfactant and a co-surfactant, wherein the anionic surfactant includes a mixture of a linear anionic surfactant and a branched anionic surfactant with a defined degree of branching on an alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactant. Such compositions exhibit surprising and unexpected improved sudsing profile, preferably stable suds, especially when the manual dishwashing is performed in a sink full of water with the cleaning composition diluted in it.