Covalent Microcapsule Wall Bonding for Fabric Deposition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Microcapsules lack substantivity and dispersibility in aqueous liquids, leading to instability and inefficient deposition on substrates, particularly in laundry applications.
Innovation Solution
A method of covalently bonding a modifier to the polymeric microcapsule wall using a linking compound with specific moieties, allowing for enhanced substantivity and dispersibility by forming a covalent bond with acrylic moieties in the capsule wall, followed by attachment of the modifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a modifier is added to provide dispersibility and substantivity to microcapsules, then the microcapsules can be dispersed in aqueous liquids and attached to substrates, but the modifier molecules continuously come on and off the capsules, creating an unstable equilibrium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the modifier into the capsule wall during the capsule formation process itself, rather than adding it afterward. This ensures the modifier is permanently integrated into the capsule structure from the beginning, eliminating the need for separate attachment steps and preventing the modifier from detaching during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the modifier with the capsule wall material by forming a composite structure where the modifier is embedded within the capsule wall matrix. This combining approach creates a unified structure where the modifier cannot separate from the capsule, resolving the instability caused by equilibrium detachment.
2Ease of operation
If a modifier is added to provide dispersibility to microcapsules, then the microcapsules can be dispersed in aqueous liquids, but the microcapsules lack inherent substantivity to substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by selecting a modifier that simultaneously provides both dispersibility in aqueous liquids and substantivity to substrates. The modified capsule wall structure enables the microcapsules to perform multiple functions - remaining dispersed in water while also adhering to fabric substrates - without requiring separate additives for each property.
3Reliability
If covalent bonding is used to attach modifier to capsule wall, then stable attachment is achieved, but complementary reactive groups on both wall and modifier are required, which is often not the case
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the capsule wall during formation to include reactive functional groups that can covalently bond with the modifier. By adjusting the wall material parameters to incorporate these reactive groups, the patent enables covalent bonding without requiring complex external modification processes or additional complementary groups.
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 microcapsules exhibit improved substantivity and dispersibility, ensuring stable deposition on substrates and enhanced fragrance release, providing a superior olfactory experience.
Implementation Method 1
A method of covalently bonding a modifier to a polymeric microcapsule wall... comprising entities capable of reaction with acrylic moieties
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method of covalently bonding a modifier to a polymeric microcapsule wall, which wall comprises entities capable of reaction with acrylic moieties, comprising the provision on the wall of a linking compound to which the modifier is subsequently attached, the linking compound having the Formula (I), in which n= 1 to 30; R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the following moieties: R1 and R3 are H and Me; and X is selected from O and NH; and R2 is selected from CH2, CH2CH(OH)CH2, and CH2.CH2. Microcapsules thus modified exhibit enhanced substantivity to substrates such as textiles when used in laundry preparations.