DADMAC-Acrylic Acid Co-Polymer Detergent Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry detergent compositions containing Diallyldialkylammonium Chloride (DADMAC) Acrylic Acid co-polymers and anionic surfactants often become cloudy due to the precipitation of anion-cation complexes, leading to instability and misleading consumers about the product's quality, especially when water content exceeds 16%, and there is a need for transparent, perfume-free, and stable fabric softening detergents with superior cleaning and care benefits.
Innovation Solution
The development of liquid laundry detergent compositions with less than 1 wt% DADMAC Acrylic Acid co-polymer, a surfactant system comprising at least 40% alcohol ethoxysulfate anionic surfactant, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant, and non-ionic surfactant, and an aqueous carrier, maintaining turbidity of 50 NTUs or less, without perfumes, and with water content greater than 20%, ensuring stability and clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DADMAC Acrylic Acid co-polymer is incorporated into liquid laundry detergent with anionic surfactants, then fabric softening benefits are achieved, but the composition becomes cloudy due to precipitation of anion-cation complexes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by selecting specific anionic surfactants (sulfonates, ether sulfates, carboxylates) and controlling their concentrations relative to the cationic polymer. It also adjusts pH parameters and introduces non-ionic surfactants to modify the interaction between cationic and anionic components, preventing precipitation while maintaining fabric softening benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces non-ionic surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the cationic DADMAC polymer and anionic surfactants. These non-ionic components act as buffers that prevent direct strong interactions between oppositely charged species, thereby preventing cloudiness while allowing the cationic polymer to maintain its fabric softening function
2Quantity of substance
If water content in the detergent composition is increased above 16%, then the detergent becomes more dilute and easier to use, but cloudiness and instability increase due to precipitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameters by formulating the detergent with optimized levels of all components. It maintains effective concentrations of cationic polymer for fabric softening while controlling anionic surfactant levels and introducing non-ionic surfactants to prevent precipitation even at higher water contents, achieving both dilution and stability
3Productivity
If conventional surfactant mixtures are used to achieve cleaning results, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but compatibility with cationic polymers deteriorates leading to cloudiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific types of anionic surfactants with particular properties (sulfonates, ether sulfates, carboxylates) that have better compatibility with cationic polymers. It also locally introduces non-ionic surfactants at specific concentrations to create stable zones in the formulation that prevent precipitation while maintaining overall cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and cationic polymers in specific ratios. This composite approach leverages the cleaning power of anionic surfactants, the compatibility and stabilizing effect of non-ionic surfactants, and the fabric softening benefits of cationic polymers, achieving both cleaning effectiveness and formulation stability
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 solution results in stable, clear, and effective laundry detergents that provide superior fabric softening and cleaning benefits while maintaining transparency and avoiding perfumes, ensuring consumer confidence in product quality and extending the usability of the detergent.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant system comprising at least one alcohol ethoxysulfate anionic surfactant (AES), at least one linear alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant (LAS), and at least one non-ionic surfactant (NI)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Stable and clear liquid laundry detergent compositions having a DADMAC Acrylic Acid co-polymer, a surfactant system including alcohol ethoxysulfate anionic surfactant (AES) and at least one of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid anionic surfactant (LAS) and a non-ionic surfactant (NI), and an aqueous carrier. In one embodiment, the aqueous composition includes water in an amount of 30% to 80% by weight, a surfactant system in an amount of 8% to 35% by weight, and DADMAC Acrylic Acid co-polymer. The surfactant system may include: (1) at least about 40 wt % alcohol ethoxylsulfate (AES), and (2) a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and/or a non-ionic surfactant. The liquid compositions have a turbidity less than 50 NTUs.