Glutamic Acid Polymer Thickening Polar Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cosmetic formulations rely on petrochemical-derived materials for thickening aqueous phases, which are unsustainable and difficult to formulate into easy-to-use compositions, despite the need for biobased and biodegradable alternatives that provide effective rheology modification.
Innovation Solution
A polymer comprising partially or totally salified glutamic acid monomer units crosslinked with a crosslinking agent bearing glycidyl functions, forming a pulverulent solid that can be easily formulated and used in cosmetic compositions to thicken polar media, particularly aqueous phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If petrochemical-derived polymers are used for thickening aqueous phases, then effective rheology modification is achieved, but sustainability and environmental friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing petrochemical monomers with natural origin monomers (amino acids, sugars, polyols) while maintaining the thickening functionality through careful selection of monomer types and crosslinking densities that replicate the rheological performance of synthetic polymers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite polymer structures combining natural origin monomer units with crosslinking agents to form networks that exhibit both environmental sustainability and effective thickening properties, merging the advantages of natural materials with the functional performance of crosslinked structures
2Object-affected harmful factors
If natural origin polymers are used as alternatives, then sustainability is improved, but formulation ease and usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary crosslinking of natural origin polymers during manufacturing to pre-establish the three-dimensional network structure, so that the polymer arrives at the formulation stage ready-to-use with optimized thickening performance, eliminating the need for complex formulation adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes physical parameters such as particle size, moisture content, and crosslinking degree to improve the handling and dissolution characteristics of natural origin polymers, making them as easy to formulate with as conventional synthetic polymers
3Reliability
If crosslinking is performed to increase thickening efficiency, then viscosity enhancement is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the crosslinking function into a separate, well-defined chemical step using specific crosslinking agents, allowing the main polymerization to focus on building the polymer backbone while crosslinking is added as a controlled post-processing step to enhance thickening without complicating the overall formulation process
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 polymer effectively thickens aqueous phases, offering improved formulation ease and sustainability by using renewable resources, achieving high viscosity while maintaining environmental friendliness.
Implementation Method 1
The crosslinking of the polymer chains is performed according to a reaction between the terminal free amine function (—NH2) and/or one or more pendent or terminal carboxylic (—COOH) or carboxylate (—COO−) functions present in the structure of said polymer (P), and at least one epoxide group present in the structure of the crosslinking agent (XLA) bearing at least two glycidyl functions
Implementation Method 2
synthetic polymers have the property of being deployed, in the polar phase, under the effect of electrostatic repulsions due to the presence of negative and/or positive charges on the polymer backbone
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a polymer (P) in the form of a pulverulent solid consisting of monomeric units derived from partially or totally solidified glutamic acid (GA), and monomer units of at least one crosslinking agent (AR) having at least two glycidyl functions.