Cationic Polysaccharide Silicone Hybrid for Hair Care Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing silicone-containing surface modifying compositions often result in buildup on hair and other substrates, leading to undesirable effects such as a 'droopy' and flat hairstyle, and can cause hair color to fade when using clarifying shampoos, necessitating a solution that provides the benefits of silicone without these issues.
Innovation Solution
A modified polysaccharide with both cationic and silicon substituents, specifically cationically substituted with quaternary ammonium groups and siliconate groups, is developed, which can be crosslinked to reduce water solubility and improve substrate deposition without buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional silicones are used in surface modifying compositions, then the feel and appearance of the substrate is improved, but the silicone separates due to low specific gravity and causes buildup on the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material by chemically bonding silicone groups to a cationic polymer backbone, forming a single integrated molecule that combines the beneficial properties of both silicones (feel and appearance) and cationic polymers (stability and substantivity) while eliminating the separation issue of conventional silicones
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the previously separate components (silicone and cationic polymer) into a single hybrid molecule where silicone groups are covalently attached to the polymer chain, enabling them to work together as one unified substance rather than separate phases
2Ease of operation
If conventional silicones are used in surface modifying compositions, then the substrate becomes smoother and shinier, but the silicone deposits and builds up with consecutive applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of silicone by attaching it to a cationic polymer backbone, fundamentally altering its physical behavior from a free-phase oil that accumulates to a polymer-bound substance that deposits uniformly and does not build up with repeated applications
3Loss of substance
If clarifying shampoos are used to remove silicone buildup, then the silicone is removed from the substrate, but the hair color fades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful effect of silicone deposition into a beneficial non-buildup property by chemically modifying how the silicone is delivered and bound to the substrate, so that the material provides its benefits without creating the buildup problem that required harsh removal methods
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 modified polysaccharide composition effectively deposits silicone onto substrates without causing buildup, maintaining hair style volume and preventing color fade, while providing improved feel and manageability.
Implementation Method 1
Cationic conditioning polymers achieve substantivity to the substrate through a cationic charge that promotes binding to the innate anionic charge of the substrate to which it is applied
Data Source
AI summary
Cationic and silicon substituents are introduced into polysaccharides thereby producing modified polysaccharides cationically substituted by quaternary ammonium groups and having a charge density of about 0.1 to about 2.5 meq/g, and further substituted by siliconate groups such that the modified polysaccharide has a silicon content of about 300 to about 5000 ppm. The modified polysaccharides have application in industrial, home care and personal care surface modifying formulations.