Optical Brightening Agent Composition for Wash-Fast Textile Finishing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing formulations of optical brightening agents (OBAs) face challenges in maintaining high concentration stability during storage and in combining OBAs with softening agents and non-iron finishing agents without compromising solubility and wash fastness.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a compound A of formula (I) and a compound B of formula (II), along with water, where the weight ratio of compound A to compound B is between 0.10:1 and 3:1, and the total weight of both compounds relative to the composition is between 0.10% and 50%, providing improved stability and wash fastness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If OBAs with more sulfonic acid groups are used to improve water solubility, then solubility in aqueous media is improved, but affinity to cotton and wash fastness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the aqueous medium to acidic conditions (pH 2-7), which transforms the OBA molecules from anionic to cationic form. This parameter change enables the OBA to bind strongly to cotton fibers via electrostatic attraction to negatively charged fiber surfaces, achieving high wash fastness while maintaining solubility through the acidic environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the conventional approach of adding more sulfonic acid groups to improve solubility (which reduces wash fastness), the patent inverts the approach by using fewer sulfonic acid groups and changing the pH to acidic conditions. This inversion allows the OBA to exhibit both high solubility and high wash fastness simultaneously.
2Quantity of substance
If OBAs are applied in high concentration to maintain brightness effect, then whiteness and brightness are improved, but stability during storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to acidic conditions, which prevents the formation of insoluble precipitates that occur at neutral or basic pH. This parameter change allows the OBA to remain stable in high concentrations during storage, eliminating the trade-off between concentration and stability.
3Productivity
If multiple finishing agents are combined in a single application liquid to increase process efficiency, then productivity is improved, but solubility and compatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to acidic conditions, which simultaneously improves the solubility of cationic OBAs and enables the use of anionic softening agents without precipitation. This single parameter change resolves the compatibility issues between multiple finishing agents, allowing them to be combined in a single application liquid.
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 achieves stable storage and application, maintaining a strong and sustained whitening and brightening effect on textiles even after repeated washing, while allowing for the inclusion of softening and non-iron finishing agents.
Implementation Method 1
optical brightening agents (also abbreviated as OBAs) are well known and typically are organic molecules having a conjugated π-electron system which renders the molecule capable of exhibiting fluorescence, i.e. the molecule is capable of emitting radiation in the visible spectrum when it is irradiated with light in the ultraviolet spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition of optical brightening agents, a method of preparing said composition, a method of treating a textile product with said composition, and a textile product obtainable from the method.