Hydrophilic Cyclodextrin Silicone Gels for Stable Polar Emulsions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing silicone gels are hydrophobic and not easily dispersible in water or polar media, requiring large amounts of emulsifying surfactants, which are often not well tolerated and can cause skin irritation, limiting their use in stable cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.
Innovation Solution
Hydrophilic silicone gels are produced through a hydrosilylation reaction involving a reactive cyclodextrin derivative and components with carbon-carbon aliphatic multiple bonds and Si—H functionality, in the presence of a swelling solvent, allowing for stable emulsions in water and polar solvents without polyoxyalkylene groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard silicone gels are used, then they provide cushiony skin feel and shear thinning behavior, but they are hydrophobic and not easily dispersible in water or polar media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of silicone gels by incorporating hydrophilic groups (polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, or carboxymethyl cellulose) into the silicone polymer structure. This changes the surface properties and polarity of the gel, enabling it to disperse in water and polar media while retaining its characteristic cushiony skin feel and shear thinning behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite silicone gel materials that combine hydrophobic silicone components with hydrophilic additive components. The hydrophilic additives (surfactants, polymers, or cellulosic compounds) are incorporated into the silicone gel matrix to form a composite material that exhibits both the desired rheological properties of silicone and the dispersibility of hydrophilic substances.
2Stability of the object's composition
If large amounts of emulsifying surfactant are used to make stable aqueous emulsions, then emulsion stability is improved, but skin irritation and poor tolerance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the silicone gel to include hydrophilic functional groups that provide inherent emulsifying capability. This reduces or eliminates the need for additional emulsifying surfactants, thereby maintaining emulsion stability while avoiding skin irritation associated with high surfactant concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts or removes the need for separate emulsifying surfactants by incorporating emulsifying functionality directly into the silicone gel structure through hydrophilic modifications. This eliminates the harmful surfactant component while preserving the emulsion stability function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If polyoxyalkylene groups are covalently bonded to silicone to improve water solubility, then emulsifiability is enhanced, but harmful impurities and skin irritation risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of silicone by incorporating hydrophilic groups through covalent bonding or physical association. The use of carboxymethyl cellulose as an alternative to polyoxyalkylene groups provides water solubility and emulsifiability while reducing the risk of harmful impurities and skin irritation, as cellulosic compounds are generally recognized as safer ingredients.
4Adaptability or versatility
If silicone gels are made hydrophilic through chemical modification, then compatibility with water and polar substances is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves hydrophilicity through relatively simple chemical modification approaches, such as incorporating hydrophilic surfactants during silicone gel synthesis or adding hydrophilic polymers like carboxymethyl cellulose. These methods modify the chemical parameters of the gel without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing processes, thereby maintaining compatibility with water and polar substances while limiting manufacturing complexity.
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 resulting gels are readily emulsifiable in water and polar solvents, forming stable emulsions and maintaining cyclodextrin cavity functionality within a three-dimensional polymer matrix, enhancing compatibility with water and polar substances.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrophilic silicone gels are produced through a hydrosilylation reaction involving a reactive cyclodextrin derivative and components with carbon-carbon aliphatic multiple bonds and Si—H functionality
Implementation Method 2
the presence of a swelling solvent, allowing for stable emulsions in water and polar solvents without polyoxyalkylene groups
Data Source
AI summary
Solvent-swollen crosslinked silicone gels containing covalently bonded cyclodextrin groups are prepared by hydrosilylation. The swollen gels are storage stable, compatible with water and polar solvents, and display a significant water break effect.