Intercalated Bleach Compositions Stabilizing Hypochlorite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chlorine bleach products do not offer excellent performance across a wide range of criteria such as formulation flexibility, odor, stability, and moisture sensitivity, making them unsuitable for various applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of intercalated bleach compositions with a molar ratio of alkaline earth metal to hypochlorite greater than or equal to 3, which are stable, odorless, and pH-buffering, allowing for controlled hypochlorite release and improved compatibility with adjuvants, eliminating the need for phosphates and reducing reactivity with organic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional chlorine bleach products (sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite) are used, then effective cleaning and bleaching performance is achieved, but they exhibit poor stability, strong odor, and sensitivity to moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining alkaline earth metal hypochlorite with alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide to create an intercalated compound. This composite structure stabilizes the hypochlorite while reducing odor and moisture sensitivity, as the oxide/hydroxide component provides a matrix that controls hypochlorite release and reduces volatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by specifying a molar ratio of alkaline earth metal to hypochlorite of at least 3:1, and incorporating oxide or hydroxide components. This parameter change transforms the unstable, odorous hypochlorite into a stable, low-odor intercalated compound that maintains cleaning effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sodium hypochlorite phosphate adduct is used, then solution clarity and formula flexibility are improved, but it contains phosphates which are undesirable for laundry detergents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the phosphate component from the bleach formulation while maintaining the desired formula flexibility and adaptability. By using alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide instead of phosphate adducts, the invention eliminates phosphates that are harmful to laundry applications while preserving the ability to formulate with various adjuvants.
3Reliability
If other chlorine bleach products are used to improve stability and chlorine availability, then these characteristics are enhanced, but they exhibit poor characteristics with respect to other criteria such as formula flexibility and odor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by creating a hypochlorite-based composition that simultaneously provides stability, formula flexibility, and reduced odor. The intercalated structure of alkaline earth metal hypochlorite with oxide or hydroxide creates a multi-functional system that can be adapted to various applications including laundry detergents, hard surface cleaners, and pool treatment while maintaining consistent performance characteristics.
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 intercalated bleach compositions exhibit enhanced stability, reduced odor, and improved pH buffering, providing effective cleaning and disinfection while maintaining stability in humid environments and compatibility with various adjuvants, thus addressing the limitations of existing bleach products.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for controlled hypochlorite release
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to compositions, methods of use, and methods of manufacture for an intercalated bleach compound and compositions thereof. The intercalated bleach compound has the formula Mx(OCl)y(O)m(OH)n where M is an alkaline earth metal such as magnesium, calcium or mixture thereof. The values of x and y independently equal any number greater than or equal to 1 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), and m and n independently equal any number greater than or equal to 0 (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), but m and n are not both 0. In addition, the molar ratio of the alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium or calcium) to hypochlorite is at least 3:1. In other words, x is ≥3y. The compounds exhibit excellent stability, little or no chlorine bleach odor, exhibit excellent pH buffering characteristics, and less reactivity with organic materials as compared to alternative chlorine bleach products.