Surface Cleaning Composition Using Ketal-Surfactant Synergy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning compositions face challenges in achieving a balance between solubilization activity, stability under basic conditions, volatility, toxicity, environmental profile, and cost, while also addressing issues of toxicity and odor from traditional surfactants like dihydroxyethyl cocamine oxide and ethoxylate alcohols.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a surfactant and a ketal in specific mass ratios, such as alkylpolyglycoside and 2-isobutyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol, enhances cleaning performance by providing a synergistic effect, improving solubilization activity, reducing toxicity, and minimizing odor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional surfactants like dihydroxyethyl cocamine oxide and ethoxylate alcohols are used, then cleaning performance is improved, but toxicity and skin irritation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional surfactants with a synergistic combination of bio-based solvents (ketals, esters, alcohols) and biodegradable surfactants (alkyl polyglycosides, amino acid-based surfactants). This parameter change maintains cleaning performance while reducing toxicity and skin irritation, achieving sustainability goals
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite formulation combining multiple bio-based components (ketals, esters, alcohols) with biodegradable surfactants in specific mass ratios. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect that preserves cleaning efficacy while eliminating the harmful properties of traditional surfactants
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bio-sourced solvents like d-limonene are used to replace petroleum-sourced solvents, then environmental profile is improved, but odor and flammability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the solvent composition by selecting specific bio-based ketals and esters with optimized molecular structures that inherently have lower odor and controlled flammability compared to d-limonene, while maintaining solubilization activity and environmental compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a balanced formulation system where bio-based solvents work in synergy with biodegradable surfactants, creating a composite system that mediates between environmental benefits and sensory properties, reducing the negative effects of individual components
3Ease of manufacture
If ethanol is used as a bio-based solvent replacement, then availability is improved, but flammability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the solvent selection from highly flammable ethanol to ketals and esters that offer comparable availability from renewable resources but with reduced flammability, while maintaining or improving solubilization performance in cleaning formulations
4Object-affected harmful factors
If solvents like alcohols or glycols are used to replace surfactants, then toxicity is reduced, but cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite system combining bio-based solvents (ketals, esters, alcohols) with biodegradable surfactants (alkyl polyglycosides, amino acid-based surfactants) in optimized mass ratios, achieving synergistic effects that maintain cleaning performance while reducing toxicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the mass ratios and chemical composition parameters of the composite formulation to achieve the right balance between solubilization activity from bio-based solvents and surface activity from biodegradable surfactants, ensuring effective cleaning with reduced toxicity
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 synergistic combination of surfactants and ketals achieves improved cleaning performance with reduced toxicity and odor, maintaining at least 95% of the performance of traditional surfactants while being derived from renewable resources.
Implementation Method 1
advantageous combination of solubilization activity, stability under basic conditions, volatility, toxicity, environmental profile, and cost
Implementation Method 2
A surfactant improves wetting of the surface to be cleaned and hastens penetration of the active components
Implementation Method 3
The synergistic combination of surfactants and ketals achieves improved cleaning performance with reduced toxicity and odor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a composition for cleaning application comprising a surfactant and a ketal of formula (I) wherein R1 and R2, independently from one another, are selected in the group consisting of: a linear or branched C1-C12 alkyl, a C4-C12 cycloalkyl or an aryl. R3 is H, a linear or branched alkyl, a cycloalkyl or a —C(═O)R4 group, with R4 being a linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl or a C5-C6 cycloalkyl; and wherein the mass ratio between the surfactant and the ketal is between 80:20 to 20:80. The combination of the specific bio-sourced ketal and surfactant provides a synergic effect, improving the performance of the cleaning product.