Polymer-Micelle Complexes for Low-Residue Antimicrobial Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning product formulations, particularly those containing quaternary ammonium compounds, face challenges in reducing the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and achieving efficient antimicrobial activity without leaving residues or irritating skin, due to the need for high concentrations and volatile organic solvents, which are regulated and hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A dual-chambered system comprising a water-soluble polymer with a negative charge and a positively charged micelle, selected from quaternary ammonium or biguanide compounds, that forms a polymer-micelle complex without coacervates or films, allowing for fine control of surfactant interactions and reduced CMC, eliminating the need for volatile solvents and minimizing skin irritation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentrations of quaternary ammonium compounds are used to ensure adequate adsorption onto microbes, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but skin irritation and hazard to users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water-soluble polymer as an intermediary carrier that binds to quaternary ammonium compounds. This polymer mediator allows the antimicrobial agent to be delivered at lower effective concentrations while maintaining adequate adsorption onto microbes, thereby reducing skin irritation and user hazard while preserving antimicrobial efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining water-soluble polymer with quaternary ammonium compounds. This composite material allows for controlled release and enhanced targeting of the antimicrobial agent, enabling effective microbial adsorption at reduced concentrations that are less irritating to skin and safer for users.
2Reliability
If volatile organic solvents such as lower alcohols are added to enhance antimicrobial activity, then cleaning and disinfecting efficacy is improved, but health risks and regulatory restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates volatile organic solvents from the formulation by using water-soluble polymer-quaternary ammonium compound complexes as the primary active system. This extraction of harmful solvents maintains disinfecting efficacy through the polymer-bound antimicrobial agent while removing the associated health risks and regulatory restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the formulation parameters by replacing volatile organic solvent-based systems with water-soluble polymer complexes. This parameter change from organic solvent to aqueous polymer system maintains antimicrobial effectiveness while eliminating health hazards and regulatory concerns associated with volatile organic compounds.
3Manufacturing precision
If simple electrolytes such as sodium chloride are added to increase screening of headgroup charges, then micelle properties are adjusted, but residue formation upon drying increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water-soluble polymer as an intermediary to replace simple electrolytes for controlling micelle properties. The polymer mediates charge screening and micelle stabilization without forming residues upon drying, unlike electrolyte salts that leave behind crystalline deposits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs water-soluble polymers that dissolve completely and leave no persistent residue, replacing electrolyte salts that form lasting deposits. The polymer system provides temporary micelle stabilization during use but disappears without trace after the cleaning process, eliminating residue formation.
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 system achieves enhanced antimicrobial performance, improved wetting and cleaning efficiency, and reduced residue formation, while being environmentally friendly and safer for users, by forming stable, electrostatically bound polymer-micelle complexes that effectively adsorb onto surfaces without forming films.
Implementation Method 1
the micelle is electrostatically bound to the water-soluble polymer to form a polymer-micelle complex
Implementation Method 2
Adsorption of surfactants at interfaces is generally known to increase with surfactant concentration up to a total surfactant concentration known as the critical micelle concentration (CMC)
Implementation Method 3
Reduction of the surface tension of aqueous formulations, which is directly related to the effectiveness of the wetting of solid surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to polymer-micelle complex. The polymer-micelle complexes include a positively charged micelle selected from the group consisting of a monomeric quaternary ammonium compound, a monomeric biguanide compound, and mixtures thereof. The positively charged micelle is electrostatically bound to a water-soluble polymer bearing a negative charge. The polymer does not comprise block copolymer, latex particles, polymer nanoparticles, cross-linked polymers, silicone copolymer, fluorosurfactant, or amphoteric copolymer. The compositions do not form a coacervate, and do not form a film when applied to a surface.