Detergent Copolymer Stabilization via Salt Ionic Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available DADMAC-acrylic acid copolymers are unstable in high water content detergent compositions, leading to excess turbidity and reduced effectiveness, which is not addressed by existing surfactant chemistries.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition comprising a DADMAC-acrylic acid copolymer, sodium and/or potassium chloride, and a surfactant component including alcohol ethoxy sulfate, alkoxylated alcohol, and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, with specific weight percentages and ionic strength optimization to achieve reduced turbidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If DADMAC-acrylic acid copolymer is added to high water content detergent composition, then softening textiles benefit is achieved, but turbidity increases and stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ionic strength parameter by adding sodium chloride or potassium chloride to the detergent composition. This parameter change stabilizes the cationic copolymer in high water content formulations, preventing aggregation and turbidity while maintaining softening effectiveness. The chloride salts modify the electrostatic interactions between copolymer chains, allowing them to remain dispersed and stable.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cationic chemistry is used to soften textiles, then softening benefit is improved, but turbidity increases and commercial desirability reduces
Solution Approach 1:
Sodium chloride or potassium chloride acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the cationic copolymer and the aqueous environment. The chloride ions interact with the cationic groups on the copolymer chains, screening their positive charges and preventing electrostatic aggregation. This intermediary effect allows the copolymer to maintain its softening function while remaining transparent in the detergent solution.
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 composition achieves superior stability and reduced turbidity, allowing the copolymer to be stabilized at lower surfactant concentrations, with linear alkylbenzene sulfonate not negatively impacting turbidity and alcohol ethoxy sulfate surprisingly improving stability, resulting in a clearer and more effective detergent solution.
Implementation Method 1
sodium and/or potassium chloride present in an amount of greater than about 0.5 up to about 5 weight percent actives based on a total weight of the composition
Implementation Method 2
a surfactant component present in an amount of from about 8 to about 30 weight percent actives based on a total weight of the composition and comprising: (1) an alcohol ethoxy sulfate having a C8-C20 backbone that is ethoxylated with from about 1 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide
Data Source
AI summary
A detergent composition includes:A. a co-polymer of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and acrylic acid in an amount of from about 0.05 to about 1 weight percent actives;B. sodium and/or potassium chloride in an amount of greater than about 0.5 up to about 5 weight percent actives;C. a surfactant component in an amount of from about 8 to about 30 weight percent actives and comprising:(1) an alcohol ethoxy sulfate in an amount of from about 0 to about 60 weight percent actives;(2) an alkoxylated alcohol in an amount of from about 0 to about 90 weight percent actives;(3) a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in an amount of from about 0 to about 90 weight percent actives;wherein at least two of said (1) alcohol ethoxy sulfate, said (2) alkoxylated alcohol, and said (3) linear alkylbenzene sulfonate are present in an amount of greater than zero; andD. water.