Random-Block Silicone Polyalkyleneoxide Copolymers With Low Viscosity

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Solution Overview

Problem

High molecular weight non-hydrolyzable linear random block aminosilicone-polyalkyleneoxide copolymers used as textile enhancers and conditioning agents face impracticalities due to their high viscosities, making handling and formulation challenging.

Innovation Solution

Development of non-hydrolyzable, random block polysiloxane-polyalkylene oxide copolymers with a bis-aminofunctional group linkage, allowing for high molecular weight copolymers with low and manageable viscosities, achieved through the addition of equimolar amounts of epoxy end-blocked silicone and polyalkyleneoxide to an amine in a solvent, facilitating easier handling and formulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high molecular weight non-hydrolyzable linear random block aminosilicone-polyalkyleneoxide copolymers are used to improve tactile properties of textile substrates, then the tactile properties are enhanced, but the viscosity increases making handling and formulation impractical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile properties enhancementVSAvoidhandling and formulation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the copolymer by introducing a random block architecture with specific siloxane and polyalkylene oxide unit ratios, and by incorporating amino-functional groups. This structural parameter change enables high molecular weight copolymers to achieve both low viscosity and effective tactile enhancement properties, resolving the contradiction between performance and handleability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite copolymer structure combining siloxane units and polyalkylene oxide units in a random block configuration. This composite material approach allows the copolymer to exhibit both the low viscosity characteristics of siloxanes and the hydrophilic tactile-enhancing properties of polyalkylene oxides, while maintaining high molecular weight for durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high molecular weight copolymers are synthesized to improve conditioning performance, then the conditioning effectiveness increases, but the viscosity becomes unmanageable for practical application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconditioning effectivenessVSAvoidformulation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the copolymer parameters by controlling the molecular weight distribution and compositional ratio of siloxane to polyalkylene oxide units. By optimizing these parameters, the copolymer achieves high molecular weight for improved conditioning performance while maintaining viscosity at manageable levels through the specific random block structure and amino-functional group incorporation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 copolymers enhance tactile properties of textile substrates and improve conditioning ingredients in hair and skin care products while maintaining low viscosity, enabling easier application and improved performance.

Implementation Method 1

the addition of equimolar amounts of an epoxy end-blocked silicone and an epoxy end-blocked polyalkyleneoxide to a mixture of an amine, which serves as a linker, in a solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRing-opening addition reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2271713B1Low viscosity, high molecular weight linear random-block silicone polyalkyleneoxide copolymers
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 MOMENTIVE PERFORMANCE MATERIALS INC
  • EP2271713B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2271713B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2271713B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention describes novel non-hydrolyzable, linear, random block copolymers comprising units of polysiloxanes and polyalkyleneoxides linked by bis- aminofunctional groups. These copolymers have been successfully applied as textile enhancers as well as conditioning agents for hair and skin care products.