Citrate Ester Emulsifiers with Polymeric Alkoxylated Groups
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing citrate esters lack water-soluble groups, limiting their ability to form effective emulsifiers for oil in water emulsions, and previous formulations were primarily oil-phase based, failing to provide a range of solubility and emulsification capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Development of citrate esters with polymeric alkoxylated groups, specifically incorporating polyoxypropylene and fatty groups, and using alkoxylated methyl alcohol to prevent cross-linking, allowing for the creation of emulsifiers with varying HLB values from water-soluble to water-dispersible, enabling both oil in water and water in oil emulsions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional citrate esters are used, then oil phase emollient properties are achieved, but water solubility and emulsification capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite citrate ester molecules that combine hydrophobic fatty acid chains with hydrophilic polymeric alkoxylated groups (polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol). This composite structure allows the molecule to simultaneously interact with both oil and water phases, enabling effective emulsification while maintaining water solubility. The HLB value can be adjusted by varying the ratio and length of these components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies parameters including the type of fatty acid (saturated/unsaturated, chain length), the type and molecular weight of polymeric alkoxylated groups, and their molar ratios to produce citrate esters with different HLB values. This parameter optimization enables tuning of water solubility and emulsification properties for specific application requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If polymeric alkoxylated groups are added to citrate esters, then emulsification capability improves, but molecular complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses systematic parameter variation to optimize the balance between emulsification capability and molecular complexity. By controlling the degree of alkoxylation, molecular weight of polymeric groups, and fatty acid chain length, the invention achieves effective emulsification with manageable molecular structures that can be synthesized using standard esterification processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If citrate esters with varying HLB values are developed, then range of emulsification capabilities is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal synthesis platform using esterification reactions that can produce multiple citrate ester variants with different HLB values by simply changing the reactants (different fatty acids or different polymeric alkoxylated groups). This multi-functional approach allows a single manufacturing process to produce a range of emulsifiers tailored to different application needs without requiring entirely different synthesis routes.
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 citrate esters with polymeric alkoxylated groups achieve stable emulsions with improved skin feel and solubility, providing a range of emulsification capabilities from oil in water to water in oil emulsions without stickiness, enhancing cosmetic formulations.
Implementation Method 1
The ability to make compounds having differing solubility in water allows one to make surface active agents, or surfactants. The proper selection of the ratio of water soluble to oil soluble material in the molecule allows for the manufacture of emulsifiers useful over a wide range of formulations.
Implementation Method 2
The present invention is directed to a series of citrate ester emulsifiers that are effective in making water in oil (regular emulsions) and oil in water (invert emulsions).
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a series of citrate ester emulsifiers that are effective in making water in oil (regular emulsions) and oil in water (invert emulsions). In addition to being outstanding emulsifiers, these emulsifiers provide unique solubility, liquidity and outstanding feel when applied to the skin, making them highly desirable in cosmetic emulsions.