Phosphate Esters for Durable Skin Hydrophilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for hydrophilizing low surface energy substrates, such as surfactant treatments and high energy treatments, result in limited durability and undesirable alterations to water properties, as hydrophobic surfaces treated with these methods tend to lose their hydrophilic properties when exposed to water.
Innovation Solution
The use of mono-, di-, and polyol phosphate esters, like PEG phosphate esters and glycerin phosphate esters, which adsorb onto skin and other body parts, providing long-lasting hydrophilic benefits and enhancing the delivery of active ingredients while maintaining a non-irritating and non-sticky sensory experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If surfactant treatments are used to hydrophilize low surface energy substrates, then hydrophilic properties are initially improved, but the hydrophilic properties are lost when exposed to water and the surfactants alter water properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces phosphate esters as intermediary molecules that bridge the hydrophobic substrate and water. These esters adsorb onto the low surface energy substrate and provide persistent hydrophilic properties without being rinsed away, while not altering water properties like traditional surfactants do.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the substrate surface by introducing phosphate ester molecules that modify the surface energy and wettability. This chemical modification creates a stable hydrophilic layer that maintains its properties upon water exposure, unlike physical surfactant coatings.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high energy treatment is used to hydrophilize substrates, then hydrophilic properties are improved, but the charges dissipate over time particularly on thermoplastic polymer substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphate esters serve as stable intermediary molecules that chemically adsorb onto the substrate and provide long-lasting hydrophilic properties. Unlike high energy treatment that creates temporary charges, the phosphate ester molecules remain attached to the substrate and continuously provide hydrophilic effects over extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the temporary, dissipating charges from high energy treatment with stable phosphate ester molecules that provide持久 hydrophilic properties. The phosphate esters act as a permanent modification rather than a temporary treatment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional hydrophilizing methods are used, then initial hydrophilic effect is achieved, but the methods are complex and require multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of hydrophilization into a single additive step - incorporating phosphate esters into the formulation. This eliminates the need for complex multi-step processes like surfactant treatment followed by rinsing or high energy treatment, simplifying the overall process while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphate esters provide multiple functions simultaneously: they hydrophilize the substrate, provide moisturization, and serve as stable surface active agents. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate treatment steps, reducing process complexity.
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 esters provide sustained moisturization, improved skin hydration, enhanced deposition of active ingredients, and compatibility with various formulation types, offering a durable and effective solution for personal care products without the drawbacks of traditional hydrophilizing methods.
Implementation Method 1
These molecules are expected to adsorb on to the skin from a formulation as they are applied and render many of the benefits listed in this disclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrophilized personal care formulation, which can be in the form of a hand or body soap (liquid or bar), lipstick, body wash, makeup remover, skin cleaner, hair conditioner, skin or hair moisturizer. The formulation employs an organophosphorus material or a mixture of an organophosphorus material, for example, mono-, di-, and polyol phosphate esters.