pH-Controlled Alkyl Sulfate Compositions for Low-Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alkyl sulfate surfactants in aqueous compositions face solubility challenges at low temperatures, leading to clouding and precipitation, which complicates product stability and formulation, especially in single-surfactant systems.
Innovation Solution
A stable aqueous composition comprising 65-85% water, 3-10% hydrophobic agents like essential oils, 1-15% solvents, and pH adjusting agents, with a pH of 4.0 to 8.0, enhances solubility and stability, ensuring clarity and low turbidity without agitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alkyl sulfate surfactant is used in aqueous composition, then cleaning and foaming properties are improved, but solubility at low temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the aqueous composition to maintain alkyl sulfate solubility at low temperatures. By adjusting and controlling the pH level, the composition prevents clouding and precipitation that would normally occur below the Krafft temperature, thereby maintaining both cleaning effectiveness and physical stability across a wide temperature range.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple surfactants are mixed to lower Krafft point, then low temperature stability is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for multiple surfactant components by using a single alkyl sulfate surfactant system. By removing other surfactants that would be needed to lower the Krafft point, the formulation achieves low temperature stability through pH control alone, thereby simplifying the formulation while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pH adjusting agent serves multiple functions: it controls the overall pH of the composition, prevents clouding and precipitation at low temperatures, and eliminates the need for additional surfactants. This multi-functionality reduces formulation complexity while achieving the desired low temperature stability.
3Reliability
If alkyl sulfate concentration is increased, then cleaning performance is improved, but precipitation tendency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to enable higher alkyl sulfate concentrations without precipitation. By maintaining the composition within a specific pH range, the solubility of alkyl sulfate is enhanced, allowing formulation concentrations that deliver superior cleaning performance while remaining physically stable and free from clouding or precipitation.
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 clarity and stability at low temperatures, allowing for ready-to-use, concentrated pastes that do not require shaking or mixing, suitable for shipping and storage, with reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and simpler formulations.
Implementation Method 1
a pH adjusting agent, wherein the pH adjusting agent is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, humic acid, and mixtures thereof. The composition has a pH from about 4.0 to about 8.0.
Implementation Method 2
from about 3% to about 10% by weight of the composition of sodium lauryl sulfate
Implementation Method 3
the temperature at which the surfactant concentration of the saturated surfactant solution equals its critical micelle concentration (CMC), which is the lowest surfactant concentration at which micelles form
Implementation Method 4
from about 1% to about 15% by weight of the composition of a hydrophobic agent, wherein the hydrophobic agent is selected from the group consisting of menthol, menthone, citronellol, citronellal, geraniol, limonene, carvone, pinene, mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to stable aqueous compositions of alkyl sulfates, which are suitable for numerous commercial applications due to their favorable cleaning and foaming properties. More particularly, the disclosure relates to stable aqueous compositions of alkyl sulfates in combination with select hydrophobic agents, such as essential oils.