Multilayer Fragrance Microcapsules Balancing Sealing and Biodegradability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcapsules used in detergents and cleaning agents lack sufficient biodegradability, diffusion tightness, and chemical resistance, making them unsuitable for demanding applications.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer microcapsule structure is developed, comprising a first layer of naturally occurring biodegradable materials like gelatin or alginate, combined with a second sealing layer of melamine-formaldehyde or methacrylate, ensuring a biodegradability of at least 40% and sufficient sealing properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional organic polymers (melamine-formaldehyde, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyurethane) are used for microcapsule walls, then diffusion tightness, chemical resistance, and temperature resistance are improved, but biodegradability deteriorates (only enzymatically or biodegradable to a very limited extent)
Solution Approach 1:
The microcapsule wall is segmented into multiple functional layers: an inner layer made of biodegradable natural polymers (gelatin, alginate, chitosan) and an outer layer made of conventional organic polymers (melamine-formaldehyde, polyacrylates). This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function - the inner layer provides biodegradability while the outer layer provides diffusion tightness and chemical resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structure combining biodegradable natural polymers with conventional synthetic polymers in a multilayer wall configuration. This composite approach integrates the advantageous properties of both material types - the environmental compatibility and biodegradability of natural polymers with the protective properties of synthetic polymers.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If natural material-based microcapsules (gelatin, alginate) are used, then biodegradability is improved, but diffusion tightness, chemical resistance, and temperature resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The microcapsule wall is segmented into multiple functional layers: an inner layer made of biodegradable natural polymers (gelatin, alginate, chitosan) and an outer layer made of conventional organic polymers (melamine-formaldehyde, polyacrylates). This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function - the inner layer provides biodegradability while the outer layer provides diffusion tightness and chemical resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structure combining biodegradable natural polymers with conventional synthetic polymers in a multilayer wall configuration. This composite approach integrates the advantageous properties of both material types - the environmental compatibility and biodegradability of natural polymers with the protective properties of synthetic polymers.
3Reliability
If biopolymers are combined with organic polymers in microcapsule shells, then stability and sealing properties are improved, but biodegradability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The microcapsule wall is segmented into multiple functional layers: an inner layer made of biodegradable natural polymers (gelatin, alginate, chitosan) and an outer layer made of conventional organic polymers (melamine-formaldehyde, polyacrylates). This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function - the inner layer provides biodegradability while the outer layer provides diffusion tightness and chemical resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the microcapsule wall have different compositions and properties. The inner layer is optimized for biodegradability with high natural polymer content, while the outer layer is optimized for protection with high synthetic polymer content. This local quality differentiation allows the capsule to meet multiple conflicting requirements simultaneously.
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 microcapsules exhibit high biodegradability and sealing properties, suitable for use in detergents and cleaning agents, maintaining integrity in demanding environments while decomposing over time.
Implementation Method 1
biodegradable or...Enzymatically degradable microcapsule walls are used to utilize enzymatic degradation as a method for releasing the core material
Implementation Method 2
the shell has a biodegradability of at least 40%...ensuring sufficient sealing properties
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to washing and cleaning agents comprising: microcapsules comprising a core material, the core material comprising at least one fragrance; and a shell, the shell consisting of at least one first layer and one second layer, the chemical compositions of which differ from one another, and the shell having a biodegradability, measured in accordance with OECD 301 F, of at least 40%. The invention further relates to the use of such agents in methods for conditioning textiles or for cleaning textiles and/or hard surfaces.