Chiral Surface-Active Ionic Liquid Surfactant

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current surfactants like dioctylsulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) are not liquid and possess inferior physicochemical properties, limiting their ability to form both micelles and reverse micelles effectively, necessitating a surfactant with improved properties.

Innovation Solution

Development of a chiral, surface-active ionic liquid (SAIL) formed by reacting the lauryl ester of diacetyl-L-tartaric acid with a benzyl amine, which remains liquid at room temperature, forms micelles and reverse micelles, and maintains stability with unique physicochemical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surfactants like AOT are used, then micelle and reverse micelle formation is achieved, but the surfactant crystallizes and has inferior physicochemical properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicelle formation capabilityVSAvoidliquid state stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of conventional surfactants by introducing ionic liquid components with specific cations (imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium) and anions, creating a new class of surface-active ionic liquids that maintain surfactant functionality while achieving liquid state stability at room temperature and preventing crystallization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite molecular structures combining the hydrophilic head group of traditional surfactants with ionic liquid moieties, resulting in hybrid molecules that exhibit both surfactant properties (micelle formation) and ionic liquid properties (liquid state, non-crystallizing behavior)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional surfactants are used, then some surfactant function is achieved, but physicochemical properties are inferior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurfactant functionVSAvoidphysicochemical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The surface-active ionic liquids described in the patent exhibit multiple functions: they act as surfactants forming micelles and reverse micelles, serve as ionic liquids with tunable polarity, and provide chiral environments when configured with chiral ions, thereby achieving universal applicability across different functional requirements while maintaining superior physicochemical properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 chiral SAIL exhibits a low critical micelle concentration, forms stable micellar aggregates, and remains effective at various interfaces, offering improved detergent and stabilizing capabilities compared to traditional surfactants.

Implementation Method 1

forms micelles and reverse micelles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicelle formation: Self-Assembly

Implementation Method 2

exhibits a low critical micelle concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCritical micelle concentration: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

forms micelles and reverse micelles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverse micelle formation: Self-Assembly

Data Source

PatentUS10526273B2Surface active ionic liquid with activity in aqueous and non-aqueous media

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 VANDERBILT UNIV

AI summary

Disclosed herein are surfactant compounds, that are surface active, liquid, chiral, and micelle forming. Also disclose herein are ionic liquids and compsitions comprising the surfactant compounds.