Liquid Detergent Surfactant Formulation for Carbon Soil Redeposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid detergents face issues with soil redeposition, especially in water-saving washing machines, and require improved detergency and stability at low temperatures, particularly with carbon soils and PM 2.5 adherence.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent formulation incorporating a nonionic surfactant with a specific fatty acid polyethylene alkyl ether structure, combined with an anionic surfactant, optimized for carbon atom content, double bond configuration, and ethylene oxide adducts, to enhance detergency and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fatty acid polyethylene alkyl ether having 16 or more carbon atoms is used to suppress soil redeposition, then the effect of suppressing soil redeposition is improved, but the liquid detergent may solidify or precipitation may occur at low temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the nonionic surfactant by specifying precise compositional ratios: unsaturated fatty acid residues (45-80%), polyunsaturated fatty acid residues (3-20%), and specific ethylene oxide adduct distribution. This parameter optimization allows the surfactant to maintain both soil redeposition suppression and low temperature stability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite nonionic surfactant system comprising multiple fatty acid polyethylene alkyl ether components with different chain lengths and unsaturation levels. This composite approach combines the soil redeposition suppression capability of C16-C18 components with the low temperature fluidity of unsaturated components, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and stability
2Productivity
If a nonionic surfactant is used as the main detergent component, then detergency is achieved, but soil redeposition due to carbon soils is likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines nonionic surfactant (fatty acid polyethylene alkyl ether) with anionic surfactant in a specific ratio (60:40 to 40:60). The nonionic surfactant provides detergency while the anionic surfactant suppresses carbon soil redeposition, achieving both functions simultaneously through synergistic interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention assigns different functional roles to different surfactant components: the nonionic surfactant primarily provides detergency and emulsification, while the anionic surfactant specifically targets carbon soil removal and redeposition suppression. This functional differentiation resolves the contradiction between general cleaning and specific soil type control
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 effectively suppresses soil redeposition, improves detergency, and maintains stability at low temperatures, preventing solidification and precipitation.
Implementation Method 1
component (a): a nonionic surfactant which contains compounds represented by the following formula (1) wherein an average value of m ranges from 5 to 20
Implementation Method 2
a phenomenon in which some of the soils which have been separated from the fibers of the objects to be laundered and dispersed in the laundering liquid adhere again to the fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid detergent of the present invention contains: component (a): a nonionic surfactant which contains compounds represented by the following formula (1) wherein an average value of m in formula (1) ranges from 5 to 20; and in which a ratio of the compound wherein R1 is a double bond-containing unsaturated hydrocarbon group is equal to or greater than 45% by mass with respect to a total amount of the component (a), and a ratio of the compound wherein R1 is an unsaturated hydrocarbon group having two or more double bonds is equal to or greater than 4% by mass with respect to a total amount of the compounds of formula (1) wherein R1 is an unsaturated hydrocarbon group; and component (b): an anionic surfactant.R1CO(EO)mOR2 (1)wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 15 to 17 carbon atoms; EO is an oxyethylene group; m is a positive integer; and R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.