Peracid Particle Stability in Alkaline Formulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bleaching agents, particularly pre-formed percarboxylic acids like PAP, face stability issues in liquid and highly alkaline formulations, leading to decomposition of other ingredients and poor dissolution in cleaning applications, necessitating the development of stable, dust-free, and easily dissolvable compositions.
Innovation Solution
Formulating organic peroxyacid particles with saccharides, inorganic fillers, linear and branched polymers, pH reducing agents, and chelating agents to enhance stability and facilitate efficient dissolution, and optionally coating these particles for additional protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-formed percarboxylic acids like PAP are used in liquid and highly alkaline formulations, then bleaching efficacy is improved, but stability deteriorates leading to decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation is segmented into distinct functional components: the percarboxylic acid bleaching agent is separated from alkaline ingredients and incorporated into a controlled-release system (microencapsulated particles or stabilized complexes), allowing the bleaching agent to remain stable during storage and only become active during the washing process when exposed to water and heat
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary substance or system is introduced to protect the percarboxylic acid from direct contact with alkaline ingredients. This could be a stabilizing agent, encapsulating material, or controlled-release mechanism that mediates between the bleaching agent and the alkaline environment, preventing decomposition while maintaining efficacy
2Reliability
If percarboxylic acids are used in highly alkaline formulations, then bleaching performance is improved, but harmful effects increase through oxidation of surfactants, enzymes and fragrances
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation incorporates ingredients or mechanisms that preemptively protect sensitive components from oxidation. This could include antioxidants, oxygen scavengers, or protective coatings applied to enzymes and fragrances, or a controlled-release system that delays percarboxylic acid activation until after other ingredients are protected
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary protective system is introduced between the percarboxylic acid and sensitive ingredients (surfactants, enzymes, fragrances). This intermediary could be a protective colloid, encapsulating matrix, or sequential release mechanism that prevents direct harmful interactions while allowing the bleaching agent to function
3Stability of the object's composition
If percarboxylic acid particles are formulated for stability, then storage stability is improved, but dissolution efficiency worsens in cleaning applications
Solution Approach 1:
The percarboxylic acid is segmented into micro-sized particles or encapsulated units with controlled surface properties. This segmentation allows the interior to remain stable and protected while the exterior surface is modified to enhance wetting and dissolution characteristics when exposed to water during washing
Solution Approach 2:
The physical and chemical parameters of the particle surface are modified to balance stability and dissolution. This could involve adjusting surface charge, hydrophilicity, or porosity through coating materials or surface treatment, creating a dual-characteristic particle that resists premature decomposition but dissolves efficiently under washing conditions
4Stability of the object's composition
If percarboxylic acids are used in powder formulations, then stability is improved compared to liquid formulations, but dust generation increases creating handling issues
Solution Approach 1:
The percarboxylic acid is extracted from conventional powder formulations and incorporated into a protected delivery system such as microencapsulated particles, coated granules, or stabilized complexes. This extraction removes the free powder form that causes dusting while maintaining the stability benefits of powder formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The percarboxylic acid particles are coated with thin film protective layers that bind the powder particles together, reducing dust generation during handling and storage. These coatings could be polymeric binders, waxes, or other materials that create cohesive granules while allowing controlled release during washing
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 resulting particles exhibit improved stability, efficient dissolution, and processability, ensuring robust and reproducible performance in cleaning applications while minimizing interactions with other formulation components.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a specific combination of components into an organic peroxyacid-containing particle can increase the stability of the particle. More specifically, the present applicant has found that organic peroxyacids can be stabilised by formulating the material with a number of agents suitable for maintaining the pH of the peroxyacid
Implementation Method 2
The particle comprises: (a) at least one bleaching agent comprising an organic peroxyacid; (b) at least one component selected from: (i) saccharides and polysaccharides, and derivatives thereof; (ii) inorganic fillers selected from the group consisting of talcs, micas, zeolites, silicates, metal oxides and clays; and (iii) linear, branched and cross-linked polymers and copolymers; (c) at least one pH reducing agent; and (d) at least one chelating agent.
Implementation Method 3
PAP has been shown to possess particularly high bleaching efficacy in-use and can bleach stains, including hydrophobic stains, at lower temperatures than for a combination of SPC and TAED. However, PAP is sensitive to high pH, particularly in the presence of water or high humidity, and can decompose and oxidise sensitive ingredients in a laundry formulation
Data Source
AI summary
A first aspect relates to a particle including: (a) at least one bleaching agent including an organic peroxyacid; (b) at least one component selected from: (i) saccharides and polysaccharides, and derivatives thereof; (ii) inorganic fillers selected from the group consisting of talcs, micas, zeolites, silicates, metal oxides and clays; and (iii) linear, branched and cross-linked polymers and copolymers; (c) at least one pH reducing agent; and (d) at least one chelating agent. Further aspects relate to a process for preparing the particle, a composition or a dough including the particle, and use of the particle in a cleaning composition, a dental care composition, a hair dyeing composition or decolouriser, an antimicrobial composition or a bleach composition.