Cleaning Composition Cold Stability via Biosurfactant Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Primary alkyl sulfate surfactant-based cleaning compositions exhibit poor cold stability due to a high Krafft point, leading to phase changes and an undesirable milky appearance at temperatures below 16°C, which is unacceptable for consumer products.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a combination of an amphoteric surfactant and a rhamnolipid biosurfactant into the cleaning composition, specifically within certain weight ratios, to enhance stability at cold temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If primary alkyl sulfate surfactant is used for cleaning purposes, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cold stability deteriorates due to high Krafft point causing phase change and milky appearance below 16°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the Krafft point of the primary alkyl sulfate surfactant through combination with amphoteric and rhamnolipid biosurfactants. This chemical parameter modification allows the formulation to remain soluble and isotropic at temperatures below 16°C, eliminating the phase change and milky appearance while preserving cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining primary alkyl sulfate surfactant with amphoteric surfactant and rhamnolipid biosurfactant in specific weight ratios. This composite surfactant system synergistically improves cold stability and prevents the harmful phase separation and opacity that occurs with pure primary alkyl sulfate at low temperatures
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 addition of amphoteric and rhamnolipid biosurfactants significantly reduces the Krafft point of primary alkyl sulfate surfactants, maintaining stability and preventing phase changes at temperatures below 16°C, thus improving the composition's cold storage stability.
Implementation Method 1
The Krafft point of these materials is higher than would be perfect, for example sodium lauryl sulfate has a Krafft point of around 16°C. Below this point, the formulation containing these materials undergoes a phase change from soluble to insoluble
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning composition comprising a) from 1 to 30 wt.% of a primary alkyl sulfate surfactant; b) from 1 to 10 wt.% of an amphoteric surfactant selected from betaines, glucamides and sultaines; and, c) from 1 to 10 wt.% of a rhamnolipid biosurfactant surfactant; wherein the ratio of primary alkyl sulfate surfactant to biosurfactant is from 8:1 to 1:10; and, wherein the ratio of primary alkyl sulfate surfactant to amphoteric surfactant is from 8:1 to 1:10; wherein the primary alkyl sulfate is a C10-C20 alkyl sulphate; to a method of treatment of a substrate; to a method of treatment of a textile; and to the use of a combination of a biosurfactant and amphoteric surfactant to improve the cold storage stability of primary alkyl sulfate containing formulations.