Microemulsion composition and a fiber treating agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming microemulsions with amino group-containing organopolysiloxanes struggle with reproducibility and stability, particularly in achieving small particle sizes and maintaining transparency and softness in fiber treating agents.
Innovation Solution
A microemulsion composition comprising a linear organopolysiloxane with amino and polyoxyalkylene groups, a nonionic surfactant with an HLB factor of 12 to 16, an anionic surfactant, organic acid, and water, which facilitates phase inversion to create a stable, transparent oil-in-water microemulsion with particles less than 50 nm in diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If amino group-containing organopolysiloxane is emulsified to improve fiber softness, then fiber texture is improved, but emulsion stability and reproducibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the organopolysiloxane by introducing polyoxyalkylene groups (specifically polyethylene glycol groups) at the terminal positions. This structural modification enables the polysiloxane to form stable microemulsions while maintaining its fiber-softening effect, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining amino groups and polyoxyalkylene groups within the same organopolysiloxane molecule. This composite approach allows the molecule to simultaneously achieve emulsion stability (through polyoxyalkylene groups) and fiber softness (through amino groups), resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
2Reliability
If emulsion particle diameter is reduced to improve stability, then shear stability is improved, but manufacturing reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the organopolysiloxane to a specific range (1,000 to 10,000) and introduces polyoxyalkylene groups, which naturally lead to the formation of microemulsions with small particle diameters (0.01 to 1 μm). This approach achieves both shear stability and manufacturing reproducibility without requiring complex particle size control processes.
3Ease of operation
If organopolysiloxane concentration is increased to improve treating effectiveness, then fiber treatment effect is improved, but storage stability and dilution ability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating polyoxyalkylene groups with specific molecular weights (100 to 10,000) into the organopolysiloxane structure. This modification enables the formulation of high-concentration emulsions (5-50 mass%) that maintain both storage stability and dilution ability, resolving the contradiction between treating effectiveness and 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 composition provides excellent storage stability, dilution ability, and improved softness and hydrophilicity to fibers, enhancing their texture and water absorbability.
Implementation Method 1
facilitates phase inversion to create a stable, transparent oil-in-water microemulsion with particles less than 50 nm in diameter
Implementation Method 2
create a stable, transparent oil-in-water microemulsion with particles less than 50 nm in diameter
Implementation Method 3
a microemulsion composition which comprises an organopolysiloxane in a high concentration and easily forms a microemulsion having a desired concentration by adding water
Implementation Method 4
improved softness and hydrophilicity to fibers, enhancing their texture and water absorbability
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a microemulsion for a fiber treating agent providing softness, hydrophilicity, improving texture of a fiber and stability and dilution ability. A microemulsion composition includes the following components (A) to (E): (A) a linear organopolysiloxane having two or more polyoxyalkylene-containing organic groups represented by —CH2—CH(OH)CH2O—(C2H4O)b—(C3H6O)c—Z per molecule and a viscosity at 25° C. of 100 to 5,000 mPa·s in an amount of 80-98 mass %, (B) a nonionic surfactant, with an HLB factor of 12-16, in an amount of 1-10 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the component (A), (C) an anionic surfactant in an amount of 0 to 3 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the component (A), (D) an organic acid in an amount of 0.5-2 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the component (A), and (E) water in an amount of 1-5 mass %.