Halochromic Detergent Indicator for Floor Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detergent compositions for surface and floor disinfection and degreasing either require harmful volatile control reagents for visual indicators or fail to eradicate all microbial types within short times, and often contain toxic disinfection agents.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition combining ammonium halides with specific alkyl chains, amino alcohols, metal hydroxides, sequestrants, and halochromic compounds, which act as both disinfectants and visual indicators, ensuring effective microbial eradication within short times without using toxic substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a visual passage indicator is integrated into the detergent composition, then the user can know where the detergent has been applied and reduce quantity consumed, but a control reagent releasing ammonia vapors is required which can cause harm to users
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful control reagent (ammonia vapor) is extracted and removed from the composition. Instead, a self-indicating system is used where the detergent itself contains the visual indicator that changes color upon contact with the surface, eliminating the need for separate control reagents that release harmful vapors.
Solution Approach 2:
The detergent composition performs the indication function itself without requiring external control reagents. The halochromic compound integrated into the detergent automatically changes color when the detergent contacts the surface and undergoes pH change, making the system self-indicating and eliminating harmful ammonia vapor release.
2Reliability
If traditional disinfection agents like benzalkonium chloride are used, then disinfection action is provided, but they do not eradicate all types of microbial germs within 5 minutes and have toxicity concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the disinfection system by using a specific ammonium halide composition with defined alkyl chains (two chains of 1-3 carbons and two chains of 7-14 carbons) combined with amino alcohols and alcohols. This parameter optimization enables complete microbial eradication within 5 minutes, overcoming the time limitation of traditional agents while reducing toxicity.
3Measurement precision
If the halochromic compound turning zone is lower than the composition pH, then the color change indicates complete detergent action, but the color change time must match the disinfection action time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention carefully selects halochromic compounds with specific turning zones that are lower than the composition pH (pH 12-13). This parameter selection ensures that the color change occurs precisely when the disinfection action is complete, providing accurate visual indication within the 5-minute timeframe. The turning zone is optimized to match the kinetic profile of the disinfection 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 composition achieves rapid and effective disinfection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses within minutes, with the halochromic compound's color change indicating action completion, ensuring safety and minimizing detergent usage.
Implementation Method 1
a halochromic compound with a turning zone lower than the pH of the composition... the halochromic compound's color change indicating action completion
Implementation Method 2
a base composed of a metal hydroxide... the metal hydroxide is used to impart a basic pH to the composition, and is advantageously used in quantities such that the pH obtained is 12 to 13
Data Source
AI summary
Detergent composition for the disinfection and degreasing of floors and building surfaces, comprising: - an ammonium halide, in which the ammonium has two alkyl chains each having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and two alkyl chains each having 7 to 14 carbon atoms; - an amino alcohol; - an alcohol; - a base composed of a metal hydroxide; and - a halochromic compound with a transition range below the pH of the composition.