Quaternary Polysiloxane Textile Softeners With Wash-Durable Substantivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polysiloxane quaternary ammonium compounds used as textile softeners have low substantivity, leading to loss of softness after washing, and their commercial production is inefficient with low yields and require additional emulsifiers and solvents for aqueous formulations.
Innovation Solution
Development of polysiloxanes with a general formula (M′Dn)3T, where M′, D, and T represent specific siloxane units, and Q represents organic radicals with ammonium functions, allowing for a higher degree of modification and improved durability on textiles, achieved through equilibration and hydrosilylation processes, resulting in products with enhanced hydrophilic softness and rebound elasticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If polysiloxanes with terminal quaternary ammonium groups are used as textile softeners, then fabric hand softness is improved, but substantivity is reduced leading to loss of softness after washing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the quaternary ammonium functions from the siloxane backbone by using lateral modification instead of terminal attachment. This creates independent functional units (QSiY2O1/2) distributed along the polymer chain, allowing the siloxane backbone to maintain its softening effect while the quaternary ammonium groups provide substantivity through ionic interactions with textile fibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by concentrating quaternary ammonium groups at specific lateral positions on the siloxane chain rather than uniformly at terminal ends. This localized functionalization allows different parts of the molecule to perform different functions: the siloxane backbone provides softness while the laterally positioned quaternary ammonium groups provide substantivity and durability.
2Reliability
If polyquaternary polysiloxane polymers are synthesized to improve substantivity, then durability on textile is improved, but manufacturing yield is reduced to ≤60% of theory
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic cross-linking step from the synthesis pathway by using pre-formed quaternary ammonium-containing siloxane units that can be directly polymerized. This eliminates side reactions and complex purification steps, improving manufacturing yield while maintaining the desired durability properties through controlled lateral modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by pre-synthesizing the quaternary ammonium-containing siloxane monomers before polymerization. This preliminary functionalization allows for better control over the final polymer structure and eliminates the need for post-polymerization modification, thereby improving overall manufacturing efficiency and yield.
3Ease of operation
If siloxane quats are formulated for aqueous application, then textile softening is achieved, but additional emulsifiers and solvents are required increasing formulation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies self-service by designing siloxane quats with built-in emulsifying properties through their amphiphilic structure. The hydrophobic siloxane backbone and hydrophilic quaternary ammonium groups create natural surfactant characteristics, allowing the softener to self-emulsify in water without requiring additional emulsifier additives or solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves multi-functionality by designing a single molecule that simultaneously provides textile softening, substantivity, and emulsification properties. The siloxane backbone delivers softening, the quaternary ammonium groups provide substantivity and water solubility, eliminating the need for separate functional additives and simplifying the overall formulation.
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 new polysiloxane compounds provide a durable soft hand and improved crease recovery on textiles, maintaining softness and hydrophilicity even after repeated washing, with improved commercial viability and self-emulsifiability in water without the need for additional emulsifiers or solvents.
Implementation Method 1
a textile treated with such compounds does acquire good softness, but the siloxane is easily removed back off the treated textile, by washing operations for example, owing to the low substantivity of the siloxane on the textile
Implementation Method 2
a process for preparing them by equilibration of phenyltris(dimethylsiloxy)silane with octamethylcyclo-tetrasiloxane and/or decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (cycles)
Data Source
AI summary
Polysiloxanes of formula (I)[M′ Dn]3 T (I),whereM′=QSiY2O1/2 D=SiY2O2/2 T=SiZO3/2 are useful as softeners for wovens, nonwovens and/or fibers composed of natural and/or synthetic raw materials.