Laundry Dye Polymer Deposition via Surfactant EO Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deposition efficiency of dye polymers in liquid laundry compositions with anionic and non-ionic surfactants is not optimal, leading to subpar whitening of fabrics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a non-ionic surfactant with 8 to 10 ethylene oxide groups, specifically 8.5 to 9.5 EO groups, into the liquid detergent formulation, along with a dye polymer comprising polyethylene imine covalently bound to a reactive blue or violet dye, enhances the deposition efficiency on textiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard non-ionic surfactant is used in liquid detergent, then the detergent provides basic cleaning function, but the deposition efficiency of dye polymer on fabric is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the number of ethylene oxide groups (8-10, preferably 9) in the non-ionic surfactant and the degree of substitution of polyethylene imine (20-98 mol%). This optimization of chemical parameters enhances the deposition efficiency of the dye polymer on fabric while maintaining detergent performance, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable deposition and productive whitening.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite system combining anionic surfactants (5-70 wt%), non-ionic surfactants with specific EO groups (5-30 wt%), and dye polymers (0.001-2.0 wt%). This composite formulation creates synergistic effects where the specific non-ionic surfactant acts as a bridge between the anionic detergent base and the dye polymer, improving both deposition efficiency and whitening performance simultaneously.
2Reliability
If polyethylene imine is substituted by alcohol groups, then the dye polymer structure is modified for better deposition, but the complexity of formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polyethylene imine structure by controlling the substitution degree (20-98 mol% of protons replaced by ethyl or iso-propyl alcohol groups). This parameter optimization improves dye polymer deposition on fabric without requiring complex formulation adjustments, as the modified PEI itself provides the necessary deposition properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The modified polyethylene imine serves multiple functions: it acts as both the polymer backbone and the deposition-enhancing agent. The alcohol-substituted PEI simultaneously provides surfactant properties and dye carrier functionality, reducing the need for additional separate additives and simplifying the overall formulation despite the molecular complexity.
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 enhanced formulation significantly improves the deposition of blue or violet dyes on fabrics, thereby enhancing the perception of whiteness of white fabrics, as demonstrated by increased blueing/shading effects.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a non-ionic surfactant with 8 to 10 ethylene oxide groups, specifically 8.5 to 9.5 EO groups, into the liquid detergent formulation, along with a dye polymer comprising polyethylene imine covalently bound to a reactive blue or violet dye, enhances the deposition efficiency on textiles.
Implementation Method 2
Such dye polymers deposits to clothes under wash conditions and thereby whitening the fabric via a shading effect.
Implementation Method 3
the dye polymer comprising a polyethylene imine covalently bound to a reactive blue or violet dye
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns liquid laundry detergent formulations comprising a dye polymers comprising a polyethylene imine covalently bound to a reactive dye and the use of the dye polymers in liquid laundry compositions with specific surfactant mixtures.