Defoaming Agent for Liquid Detergent Clarity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing defoaming agents for liquid detergents, particularly organosilicone-based ones, face challenges in achieving effective foam control while maintaining clarity and stability, often resulting in turbidity and precipitation issues.

Innovation Solution

A defoaming agent comprising a branched siloxane polymer modified with an alkyl and polyether, combined with a crosslinked modified siloxane polymer, enhances compatibility and synergistic effects, ensuring excellent defoaming performance and clarity without precipitation or aggregation in liquid detergents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If organosilicone defoaming agents are added to liquid detergent, then foam control performance is improved, but clarity deteriorates (detergent becomes turbid)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam control performanceVSAvoidclarity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite defoaming agent system comprising polydimethylsiloxane as the base material, modified by grafting hydrophobic groups (such as alkyl or aryl groups) to create a composite structure that combines the low surface tension of siloxane with the compatibility and optical clarity benefits of hydrophobic organic groups. This composite approach allows the defoaming agent to maintain effectiveness while preventing turbidity in the detergent formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of polydimethylsiloxane by introducing hydrophobic substituents at specific positions on the siloxane chain. By controlling the type, position, and quantity of hydrophobic groups (such as methyl, phenyl, or other alkyl groups), the patent optimizes both the defoaming performance and the clarity of the detergent, transforming the original polydimethylsiloxane into a tailored composite defoaming agent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If polydimethylsiloxane is used as defoaming agent, then surface tension is reduced, but compatibility with organics deteriorates (weak affinity with foam film)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface tensionVSAvoidcompatibility with organics
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality modification by introducing hydrophobic groups at specific locations on the siloxane molecule (such as at the terminal positions or at intervals along the chain). This localized modification allows different parts of the defoaming agent molecule to perform different functions: the siloxane backbone provides low surface tension while the locally introduced hydrophobic groups provide compatibility with organic foam film components, achieving both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If hydrophobic groups are grafted onto polydimethylsiloxane, then compatibility with organics is improved, but defoaming efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with organicsVSAvoiddefoaming efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the parameters of hydrophobic group modification, including the type of hydrophobic group (alkyl, aryl, etc.), the position of grafting (terminal or intermediate), and the degree of substitution (number and distribution of hydrophobic groups). By optimizing these parameters, the patent achieves a balance where the hydrophobic groups provide sufficient compatibility with organic foam films without excessively increasing the overall surface tension or reducing the defoaming efficiency of the siloxane backbone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a defoaming agent with improved stability and clarity, effectively controlling foam and preventing coagulation and aggregation, thus enhancing the aesthetic and functional properties of liquid detergents.

Implementation Method 1

Because of low surface tension, defoaming agents can quickly penetrate into the foam system, resulting in the bubble burst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

After grafting a hydrophobic group onto the chain of polydimethylsiloxane, the hydrophobic performance is improved, but the compatibility with organics is significantly improved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS10407647B2Defoaming agent for liquid detergent
Publication Date: 2019.09.10 JIANGSU SIXIN SCI-TECH APPL RES INST CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a defoaming agent for a liquid detergent, comprising the following components: component A1, a modified polyorganosiloxane formed by reacting a hydrogen-containing polyorganosiloxane, an unsaturated polyether and an α-olefin; component A2, a modified polyorganosiloxane formed by reacting a hydrogen-containing polyorganosiloxane, an unsaturated polyether and a bivinyl-terminated polyorganosiloxane; component B, an organosilicon composition composed of a hydrogen-containing polyorganosiloxane, a polymer composed of an acrylate and an α-olefin, silica and an organosilicon resin; component C, a thickening agent; and component D, water. An excellent compatibility between the modified polyorganosiloxanes A1 and A2 enables the defoaming agent to exhibit an excellent defoaming performance, stability and clarity in a laundry detergent.