Liquid Crystal Composition for Hydrophobic Compound Solubilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal compositions struggle to solubilize hydrophobic compounds like hydrocarbon oils and fatty acids due to their poor water solubility, limiting their application in cosmetics and skin care products.
Innovation Solution
A novel liquid crystal composition is developed using one or multiple silicone surfactants combined with phenyl-modified silicone oil and water, which enhances the solubilization of hydrophobic compounds, allowing for their incorporation into cosmetic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional liquid crystal compositions are used, then the composition structure is simple, but hydrophobic compounds having poor water solubility cannot be solubilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite liquid crystal composition combining multiple silicone surfactants (pendant-type and AB-type) with specific physical properties (viscosity, HLB value) to create a synergistic system that enhances solubilization capacity for hydrophobic compounds while maintaining composition stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters including the viscosity ratio of silicone surfactants (0.3 to 2.0), HLB values (4.0 to 10.0), and concentration ratios (0.1 to 2.0) to achieve maximum solubilization efficiency for hydrophobic compounds within the liquid crystal structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If hydrophobic compounds are added to improve cosmetic properties, then the functional performance is improved, but the solubility in water-based composition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal composition acts as an intermediary system with amphiphilic characteristics, containing both hydrophobic inner domains for accommodating oil-soluble cosmetic ingredients and hydrophilic outer surfaces for compatibility with water-based formulations, thereby mediating between hydrophobic compounds and aqueous environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local hydrophobic micro-environments within the liquid crystal structure where hydrophobic cosmetic ingredients can be accommodated, while the overall composition maintains hydrophilic characteristics for water compatibility, achieving spatial differentiation of properties
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 composition effectively solubilizes hydrophobic compounds such as squalane and fatty acids, making it suitable for use in skin and hair care products, improving their compatibility and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal composition can be prepared from silicone surfactant(s) and water
Implementation Method 2
hydrophobic compounds having poor solubility in water can be solubilized in the inner domains of liquid crystals
Implementation Method 3
hydrophobic compounds having poor solubility in water can be solubilized in the inner domains of liquid crystals by further compounding a phenyl-modified silicone oil
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal composition contains liquid crystals containing one kind of or two or more kinds of silicone surfactants, a phenyl-modified silicone oil and water. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains 5 to 95% by weight in total of one kind of or two or more kinds of silicone surfactants, 0.1 to 90% by weight of a phenyl-modified silicone oil and 0.1 to 90% by weight of water. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention can solubilize hydrophobic compounds having poor solubility (for example, hydrocarbon oils such as squalane, fatty acids such as oleic acid and lipoic acid and ester oils such as cetyl isooctanoate) and is thus useful, for example, as toiletry materials and cosmetic materials.