Rheology Modifier for Liquid Detergent Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous polymer emulsions used in liquid detergents face stability issues during storage, leading to creaming or sedimentation of ingredients, which affects the cleaning performance and storage stability of home and personal care formulations.
Innovation Solution
A rheology modifier is developed by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, nonionic ethylenically unsaturated surfactant monomers, C1-C2-alkyl methacrylate, and C2-C4-alkyl acrylate in the presence of hydrocarbons containing XH groups, where X is O, P, or S, to improve the stability and dispersion of ingredients in liquid detergents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aqueous polymer emulsions are used in liquid detergents, then cleaning performance is achieved, but storage stability deteriorates leading to creaming or sedimentation of ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the emulsion system by introducing a rheology modifier with specific molecular weight (10,000-1,000,000 g/mol) and specific functional group ratios (carboxylic acid to hydroxyl groups). This modifies the physical-chemical parameters of the liquid detergent, including viscosity and interfacial tension, to prevent creaming and sedimentation while maintaining cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system by combining the aqueous polymer emulsion with a rheology modifier that contains both hydrophilic (carboxylic acid groups) and hydrophobic (alkyl chains) components. This composite structure forms a stabilizing network that prevents phase separation and ingredient sedimentation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining emulsion functionality and improving storage stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If various ingredients are included in liquid detergents for optimal cleaning function, then cleaning performance is improved, but dispersion stability deteriorates causing creaming or sedimentation during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The rheology modifier acts as an intermediary substance between the various detergent ingredients (surfactants, fillers, microcapsules, pigments) and the aqueous continuous phase. Its amphiphilic structure with carboxylic acid groups and alkyl chains allows it to mediate interactions, preventing direct aggregation of hydrophobic ingredients and maintaining their dispersion stability throughout storage while preserving their cleaning functions.
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 rheology modifier enhances the storage stability and dispersion of ingredients in liquid detergents, preventing creaming and sedimentation, thus maintaining the cleaning performance and stability of home and personal care products over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
The rheology modifier increases the viscosity of the liquid detergent formulation, thereby preventing creaming and sedimentation of dispersed ingredients such as fillers, microcapsules, and pigments during storage
Implementation Method 2
A rheology modifier is developed by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, nonionic ethylenically unsaturated surfactant monomers, C1-C2-alkyl methacrylate, and C2-C4-alkyl acrylate
Data Source
AI summary
A rheology modifier obtainable by polymerizing (i) at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid; (ii) at least one nonionic ethylenically unsaturated surfactant monomer, (iii) at least one C1-C2-alkyl methacrylate, and (iv) at least one C2-C4-alkyl acrylate, where the alkyl chain length averaged over the number of alkyl groups of the alkyl acrylate is 2.1 to 4.0. The polymerization is carried out in the presence of at least one hydrocarbon comprising at least one XH-group, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of O, P, N and S. Liquid formulations and particles containing liquid detergents comprising the rheology modifier are also described.