Isomeric Tridecyl Ether Sulfates for Biodegradable Detergents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current detergent formulations lack effective, weight-efficient anionic surfactants that combine improved cleaning performance and superior foam creation while being readily biodegradable, and often have compatibility issues leading to higher surfactant concentrations and non-biodegradable polymeric foam stabilizers.
Innovation Solution
Development of ether sulfates based on isomeric tridecyl alcohol mixtures, produced through a specific process involving ethoxylation and sulfation, which are used in combination with other surfactants to enhance cleaning and foam properties, and are designed to be biodegradable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional detergent formulations use multiple surfactants and polymeric foam stabilizers to achieve good cleaning and foam properties, then cleaning performance and foam profile are improved, but formulation complexity and cost increase, and biodegradability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ether sulfate-based anionic surfactant is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides cleaning action, foam generation, and foam stabilization properties. This multi-functional surfactant replaces the need for separate polymeric foam stabilizers and reduces the number of different surfactants needed, thereby simplifying the formulation while maintaining or improving cleaning performance and foam profile
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the anionic surfactant by using ether sulfate groups with specific chain lengths (C12-C18) and specific degrees of ethoxylation (1-10 moles). These parameter changes give the surfactant unique properties that combine high cleaning efficiency, superior foam creation, and inherent foam stabilization without requiring additional polymeric additives
2Quantity of substance
If concentrated detergent formulations use lower amounts of water and active ingredients to improve sustainability, then environmental footprint is reduced, but cleaning performance and foam creation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ether sulfate surfactant is designed with optimized molecular parameters including specific alkyl chain lengths (C12-C18) and controlled ethoxylation degrees (1-10 moles per mole of alcohol). These parameter optimizations enable the surfactant to maintain high cleaning efficiency and foam creation capability even at reduced concentrations in concentrated detergent formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining ether sulfate groups with specific alkyl chains and ethoxylation patterns. This composite structure provides synergistic effects that enhance cleaning performance and foam properties per unit concentration, allowing concentrated formulations to deliver effective cleaning with lower overall surfactant loads
3Reliability
If branched iso-tridecylalcohol based ether sulfates are used to improve foam profile, then foam creation is enhanced, but biodegradability decreases and the alcohol mixture contains many other C9 to C15 alcohols
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the alcohol base from branched iso-tridecylalcohol to linear or lightly branched C12-C18 alcohols. This parameter change in the alcohol structure improves biodegradability while the specific ethoxylation degree (1-10 moles) and sulfation create the ether sulfate structure necessary for good foam profile and cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses readily biodegradable alcohol components that break down quickly in the environment, replacing persistent branched iso-tridecylalcohol derivatives. The ether sulfate structure with C12-C18 chains provides the necessary functional performance while the molecular design ensures rapid biodegradation, making the surfactant environmentally benign after use
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 ether sulfates improve cleaning performance, increase foam levels, reduce detergent viscosity, and are readily biodegradable, making them suitable for concentrated detergent formulations with lower surfactant concentrations, thus addressing market needs for sustainability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The ingredients and formulations described in the prior art still have some shortcomings. For example, the detergent formulations disclosed in the prior art usually do not show good cleaning performance and good foam creation properties in combination. Besides, the disclosed ingredients are mostly not sufficiently biodegradable.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a process of manufacturing ether sulfates based on isomeric tridecyl alcohol mixtures and ether sulfates based on isomeric tridecyl alcohol mixtures obtained or obtainable by such a process. Further disclosed herein are a composition including the ether sulfates based on isomeric tridecyl alcohol mixtures and a method of using the ether sulfates.