PEG-Free Silicone Emulsifiers for Stable Invert Emulsions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of PEG-based silicone emulsifiers in personal care and industrial applications raises safety concerns due to dioxane and ethylene oxide levels, and genotoxicity, necessitating the development of PEG-free silicone-based emulsifiers for stable water-in-oil (w/o) and water-in-silicone (w/si) emulsions.

Innovation Solution

The use of polyhydric silicone emulsifiers modified with allyl trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol organic groups, which do not contain PEG or PPG groups, to create stable invert emulsions with a low to almost unmeasurable Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB), providing a light feel and improved stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PEG-based silicone emulsifiers are used to create stable invert emulsions, then emulsion stability and water resistance are improved, but safety concerns arise due to dioxane and ethylene oxide levels and genotoxicity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoiddioxane and ethylene oxide levels, genotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful PEG/PPG components from the silicone emulsifier system while retaining the essential emulsification functionality through the use of polyhydric silicone compounds with multiple hydroxyl groups that can stabilize invert emulsions without the toxic additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the silicone emulsifier by introducing polyhydric structures with multiple hydroxyl groups (such as trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol derivatives) to replace PEG-based emulsifiers, thereby achieving the same emulsion stability through different molecular architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If silicone polyethers with separate alkyl and polyether pendant groups are used as water in oil emulsifiers, then emulsification performance is improved, but the presence of PEG groups creates safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsification performanceVSAvoidPEG group presence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the polyether (PEG) pendant groups from the silicone structure while maintaining the alkyl pendant groups and hydroxyl functionality, thereby eliminating the harmful components while preserving the water-in-oil emulsification capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite silicone structure combining silicon oxide backbone with organic alkyl groups and hydroxyl groups, forming a new class of polyhydric silicone compounds that function as effective invert emulsifiers without relying on PEG components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If high concentrations of hydroxy groups are used in silicones to increase hydrophilicity, then emulsification capability improves, but the HLB remains too low for effective w/o or w/si emulsifiers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsification capabilityVSAvoidHLB balance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention concentrates hydroxyl groups at specific locations on the silicone molecule (as pendant groups on polyhydric structures) rather than distributing them uniformly, creating localized hydrophilic regions that effectively interact with water phases while maintaining the overall low HLB character needed for w/o emulsification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining hydrophobic silicone backbone with hydrophilic polyhydric organic groups (such as trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol derivatives), achieving effective emulsification through the synergistic interaction of these different functional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

These PEG-free silicone emulsifiers achieve stable and efficient emulsions with enhanced skin feel, improved uniformity, and sensory performance in personal care products, such as sunscreens and foundations, while reducing the need for co-emulsifiers and pigment dispersants, thus lowering complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

silicone based polyhydric emulsifiers... to make invert w/o emulsions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS10336776B1Invert emulsions made with non-PEG containing silicone based polyhydric emulsifiers

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 SILTECH CORP

AI summary

This patent relates to invert water in oil (w/o) and water in silicone (w/si) emulsions made using non PEG/PPG containing polyhydric silicone emulsifiers. The polyhydric silicone polymers are based on allyl trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol modified organic groups and do not contain any PEG and/or PPG groups (also known as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycols, polyethers, polyglycols,). These emulsions show improved emulsification stability and provide a light feel compared to emulsions made with other silicone based PEG/PPG compounds which are commonly used in the field.