Glyoxal Crosslinked Cationic Guar Dispersibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polygalactomannans and their derivatives are difficult to disperse in aqueous solutions, forming sticky particles that agglomerate, making dissolution challenging, and there is a need for alternative crosslinking agents to boron-containing compounds in personal care applications to avoid hazards and improve processing and handling.
Innovation Solution
Glyoxal crosslinked cationic guar is used, which forms discrete, water-dispersible particles that do not agglomerate, allowing for easier washing and dispersibility across a wider pH range, reducing the use of boron-containing compounds and enhancing the functionality as a conditioning and thickening agent in personal care compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polygalactomannans are used in aqueous solutions, then they provide conditioning and thickening benefits, but they form sticky particles that agglomerate and are difficult to disperse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the polygalactomannan polymer into discrete crosslinked particles of controlled size (0.1-10 micrometers). This segmentation prevents agglomeration while maintaining the conditioning functionality of the polymer chains within each particle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polygalactomannan by introducing crosslinks at controlled densities. This modifies the physical properties of the particles, making them water-dispersible while maintaining their conditioning performance. The crosslinking degree and particle size are carefully controlled to optimize both dispersibility and functionality.
2Ease of operation
If boron-containing crosslinking agents are used to improve dispersibility, then water-washing and handling are improved, but safety hazards and health concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses alternative crosslinking agents (such as divalent metal ions like calcium or magnesium) that are safer and more environmentally friendly than boron-containing compounds. These alternative agents achieve the same crosslinking function without the associated health and safety hazards, effectively replacing harmful substances with benign alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the potential harm of using crosslinking agents by selecting agents that provide the desired dispersibility improvement without introducing safety hazards. The crosslinking process itself is maintained as beneficial for creating discrete particles, but the choice of crosslinking agent eliminates the harmful aspects.
3Stability of the object's composition
If crosslinking agents are used to improve dispersibility, then particle stability is enhanced, but the complexity of the formulation and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the crosslinking function into a separate, well-defined step that occurs during particle formation. By controlling crosslinking to occur at specific stages of particle creation rather than adding complex multi-component formulations, the process complexity is reduced while maintaining particle 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 glyoxal crosslinked cationic guar provides improved dispersibility and stability, enabling effective deposition on hair and skin, enhancing conditioning benefits, manageability, and moisture retention, while avoiding the use of boron-containing compounds.
Implementation Method 1
treatment of a cationic guar reaction mixture with glyoxal at a ratio of between about 0.5 - 5.0 wt glyoxal /wt guar polymer leads to a water-dispersible guar that remains as a discrete particulate that does not agglomerate into a gel
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to polygalactomannan compositions, and more particularly cationic guar gum compositions, which, when crosslinked with glyoxal, from discrete guar particles which are capable of being easily dispersed in water which permits subsequent processing of the guar, such as washing. The guar and its derivatives are desirable for use in applications such as personal care, household care products and the like.