Laundry Detergent Optical Clarity via Binary Surfactant System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aqueous domestic laundry formulations with lauryl ether sulfate and linear alkyl benzene sulfonate require hydrotropes for complete dissolution, which is undesirable, and existing solutions do not provide optical clarity without additional additives.
Innovation Solution
A binary system comprising lauryl ether sulfate and alkyl ether carboxylic acid anionic surfactants, along with ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants and other components, achieves optical clarity without the need for hydrotropes, with specific weight fractions and ethoxylation levels optimizing surfactant ratios and composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrotropes are added to achieve complete dissolution of surfactants, then solubility is improved, but formulation complexity and number of additives increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the hydrotrope component from the formulation by discovering a binary surfactant system (lauryl ether sulfate combined with alkyl ether carboxylic acid) that achieves complete dissolution and optical clarity on its own, removing the need for additional hydrotropic additives
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges two anionic surfactants (lauryl ether sulfate and alkyl ether carboxylic acid) into a binary system where their combined effect achieves complete solubility and optical clarity, replacing the traditional combination of surfactant + hydrotrope
2Illumination intensity
If multiple additives are used to achieve optical clarity, then clarity is improved, but cost and formulation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes hydrotropes and other additional additives from the formulation by establishing that the binary surfactant system alone is sufficient to achieve complete dissolution and optical clarity, simplifying the formulation while maintaining the desired optical properties
3Reliability
If traditional surfactant systems are used, then detergency is maintained, but additional hydrotropes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines lauryl ether sulfate and alkyl ether carboxylic acid in specific weight ratios (3:7 to 7:3) to create a synergistic binary system that maintains effective detergency while achieving complete dissolution without requiring any additional hydrotropic additives
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the weight ratio parameters of the two surfactants and their ethoxylation degrees to achieve the critical balance where complete solubility and effective detergency are simultaneously obtained without additional additives
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 formulation ensures complete solubility and optical clarity in laundry detergents, reducing the need for additional additives while maintaining effective detergency, as demonstrated by lower absorbance values indicating better solubilization in experimental formulations.
Implementation Method 1
aqueous liquid laundry detergent composition comprising: (i) from 3 to 10 wt%, preferably from 4 to 8 wt%, of lauryl ether sulfate anionic surfactant... (ii) from 3 to 10 wt%, preferably 4 to 8 wt%, of an alkyl ether carboxylic acid anionic surfactant
Implementation Method 2
at least 60 wt%, preferably at least 70 wt% water; (iv) from 0 to 4 wt%, preferably 0 to 3 wt%, of an ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant, preferably selected from: C10 to C16 primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 6 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides aqueous laundry detergents of clarity in an otherwise rather opaque milieu.