Non-Aqueous Oxygen Bleach Composition for Stable Alkaline Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current oxygen bleaches, particularly liquid forms, face issues such as decomposition during storage, reduced bleaching ability at acidic pH, and phase separation, making them less effective and commercially challenging.

Innovation Solution

A non-aqueous liquid oxygen bleach composition is developed, comprising a solid peroxygen compound, an anhydrous non-polar organic solvent, and carefully controlled surfactants, forming a high-viscosity paste or gel-type suspension with enhanced chemical and physical stability, maintaining bleaching ability and preventing phase separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid bleach uses hydrogen peroxide, then bleaching ability is improved, but chemical stability deteriorates due to decomposition during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebleaching abilityVSAvoidchemical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter from acidic to alkaline range (pH 9-11), which stabilizes hydrogen peroxide while maintaining bleaching ability. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by creating conditions where both stability and effectiveness are achieved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite system containing hydrogen peroxide combined with specific stabilizers (silicates, phosphates, or carboxylates) and surfactants. This composite formulation prevents decomposition while maintaining bleaching performance, resolving the stability-ability contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If liquid bleach maintains acidic pH to stabilize hydrogen peroxide, then chemical stability is improved, but bleaching and cleaning ability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidbleaching ability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by changing pH from acidic to alkaline (pH 9-11). This counterintuitive parameter change simultaneously achieves both stability and bleaching ability, as the alkaline environment prevents peroxide decomposition while enhancing cleaning performance on organic stains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If viscosity is increased to improve chemical stability, then storage stability is improved, but bleaching and cleaning ability deteriorates under acidic pH

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidcleaning ability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter to alkaline range (pH 9-11), which allows the formulation to achieve both high viscosity for stability and maintained cleaning ability. The alkaline pH ensures that even at high viscosity, the composition remains effective against organic stains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Duration of action of stationary object

If liquid bleach is stored for extended periods, then availability increases, but decomposition occurs causing loss of available oxygen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage durationVSAvoidavailable oxygen
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous stabilization through multiple mechanisms: alkaline pH maintenance, chelating agents that bind metal catalysts, and surfactant protection. These continuous protective actions prevent decomposition over extended storage periods, maintaining available oxygen levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces stabilizers (silicates, phosphates, carboxylates) as intermediary substances that mediate between hydrogen peroxide and decomposition pathways. These intermediaries bind to catalysts and prevent unwanted reactions, preserving available oxygen during storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Stability of the object's composition

If powder bleach is used instead of liquid, then storage stability is improved, but solubility and miscibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidsolubility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state from solid powder to liquid formulation, and adjusts pH to alkaline range. This allows the product to maintain storage stability while achieving complete solubility and homogeneous miscibility with water, eliminating the drawbacks of powder formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 maintains high chemical and physical stability, with no loss of available oxygen and no change in viscosity during storage, enhancing bleaching and cleaning performance across various conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a solid peroxygen compound... generating oxygen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

0.1 to 10 wt % of anionic surfactant, 0.1 to 10 wt % of non-ionic surfactant... no phase separation during the storage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant effect: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS8877091B2Non-aqueous liquid oxygen bleach composition
Publication Date: 2014.11.04 DL CHEM CO LTD

AI summary

This invention relates to a novel non-aqueous liquid oxygen bleach composition prepared by dispersing solid peroxygen compound in the liquid in which the content of an anhydrous non-polar organic solvent and a non-ionic and anionic surfactant is controlled. The composition is formed in a high viscous paste or a gel-type suspension and can be used as a multi-purpose composition, for example, the bleach and stain remover of clothes and the cleanser of bathroom and kitchen since they have a chemical/physical stability of no loss of available oxygen, an excellent bleaching and cleaning ability due to their alkaline pH range, no change of viscosity or no phase separation during the storage and so on.