NIPU Elastomer Gel Composition for Silicone-Free Thickening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The personal care industry seeks alternatives to silicone elastomers due to health and environmental concerns, requiring materials that provide efficient thickening and gelling capabilities while imparting a silky and powdery skin feel, and non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) elastomers offer an environmentally friendly solution.
Innovation Solution
A gel composition comprising a cross-linked NIPU elastomer network formed from the reaction of polycarbonates and polyamines, optionally with a catalyst, in a topically acceptable carrier fluid, which can incorporate personal or healthcare actives, either pre- or post-load method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If silicone elastomers are used for thickening and gelling, then efficient thickening and gelling capabilities are achieved, but health and environmental concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing silicone-based elastomers with non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) elastomers formed from polycarbonates and polyamines. This parameter change maintains the thickening and gelling efficiency while eliminating the harmful factors associated with silicone-based fluids, providing a topically acceptable alternative that is environmentally friendly and safe for skin contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by creating NIPU elastomers through the reaction of polycarbonate components with polyamine components. This composite approach combines the benefits of carbonate groups (providing flexibility and stability) with amine groups (providing crosslinking capability), resulting in a material that achieves silicone-like performance without the associated health and environmental concerns.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If NIPU elastomers are used as alternatives to silicone elastomers, then environmentally friendly properties are achieved, but the need to demonstrate comparable thickening and gelling capabilities arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the molecular weight, functional group density, and crosslinking degree of the NIPU elastomers to optimize their thickening and gelling performance. By controlling the ratio of polycarbonate to polyamine and the degree of polymerization, the elastomers achieve viscosity and gel strength comparable to silicone elastomers, thereby demonstrating equivalent productivity while maintaining environmental friendliness.
3Ease of operation
If NIPU elastomers are used to provide silky and powdery skin feel, then desirable sensory profile is achieved, but the challenge of formulating with non-silicone based solvents arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters of the NIPU elastomers, including the selection of specific polycarbonate backbones and polyamine crosslinkers, to optimize the sensory properties. By adjusting the elastomer's molecular weight distribution and crosslinking density, the formulation achieves a silky and powdery skin feel comparable to silicone elastomers, while the elastomer's inherent compatibility with various solvents simplifies the overall formulation process.
4Strength
If isocyanate derived polyurethanes are used, then polyurethane elastomer properties are achieved, but toxic precursor requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the toxic isocyanate component from the polyurethane synthesis pathway. Instead of using traditional isocyanate-based polyurethanes, the invention employs non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) elastomers formed from the reaction of polycarbonates with polyamines. This extraction of the harmful isocyanate intermediate maintains the desired elastomer properties while eliminating the requirement for toxic precursors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polycarbonates as intermediary compounds that replace the traditional isocyanate functionality. The carbonate groups in the polycarbonate react with polyamine groups to form urethane linkages without requiring isocyanate intermediates. This intermediary approach allows the synthesis of polyurethane elastomers with desirable mechanical properties while avoiding the use of toxic isocyanate precursors throughout the process.
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 NIPU elastomer gels provide efficient thickening and gelling properties comparable to silicone elastomers, offering a silky and powdery skin feel, and can incorporate actives effectively, addressing the need for environmentally friendly alternatives.
Implementation Method 1
A gel composition comprising a non-isocyanate polyurethane NIPU elastomer from the reaction of: A) a polycarbonate, where the carbonate groups are either cyclic or non-cyclic... B) a polyamine, where the amine groups are either primary or secondary
Implementation Method 2
C) an optional reaction catalyst, where the catalyst increases the rate of formation of the NIPU elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to gel compositions of, or containing, a non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) elastomer formed from the reaction of a polycarbonate, where carbonate groups may be cyclic or non-cyclic, and a polyamine, where amines are either primary or secondary, in an optional topically acceptable carrier fluid. The gelled compositions may further contain a personal or healthcare active. The actives may be incorporated into the gel via either a pre or post load method.